What is a game designer?
Ten days without posting, I must be dead! No, but I've been abroad to a couple of places and just got home and I'm about to crash into bed. I just wanted to tell you one thing first.
While being abroad I met with a game developer student, recently graduated. It was pretty much random that I met him and I didn't know who he was. We introduced each other and we talked about our diciplines of development. He told me that he was a character artist and I told him I'm a game designer. That's when he said to me:
- Game Designer? I do not know what that is.
I was totally in shock and didn't know what to do. I tried explaining it and I think he eventually understood it somewhat. But apparently, some game development schools have a long way to go....
But I've been thinking about a few things while being away. So tomorrow I'll make sure to write a couple of posts (published every other day) about:
- Uncanney Valley of Gameplay
- One hand games
- Beat Boxing
Me in German!
Back in late 2009 I wrote a post in which I presented an actual level design test that I got from GRIN and that led me to getting my first job as a professional designer. I've recieved a lot of positive feedback for it, both here and via other ways.
http://arcadeberg.com/causerie/an-actual-level-design-test/ (7/2/2010)
I recently got contacted by a German level design portal asking if it was okay to translate it into German and post it. Of course it was more than okay!
http://www.realize-portal.de/ (7/2/2010)
So here we are; me in German!
I don't even know what that means. I hope it's not something mean.
http://realize-portal.de/viewtopic.php?f=26&t=480&sid=eb648d20fe157884fc65838414202c8b (7/2/2010)
I'm international!
Calling code: 49
He’s THE Shepard
Funny thing.
I started playing Mass Effect 2 last night and I imported my character from Mass Effect (1).
During my play-troughs of Mass Effect, I've always been a bit bothered with the looks I set for my character, because his hairstyle is a bit glitchy sometimes. In some cut-scenes there's some major clipping going on. So yeah, that's always been annoying me.
After having imported him into Mass Effect 2, I got the option to keep or change the appearance of him and guess what; I just couldn't bear with me to change it. I just couldn't. Because for me, that guy with the glitchy hair is commander Shepard and we've been together for more than 50 hours already, so I can't just change him for my Mass Effect 2.
Well done Bioware!
GSP Games is about to start
Super quick post!
In a couple of hours GSP Games (Swedish part of Global Game Jam) will start in which I'll compete as a designer. You get 48 hours to develop a game. I'll do some twittering if time allows. Wish me luck!
http://arcadeberg.com/misc/global-game-jam/ (a previous post about it, 29/1/2010)
Hello There
Today I had my first day over at my new part time work place as a designer. It's a Gothenburg-based company that does games for training and marketing. I think it's a really great and important experience for me to try and do things that aren't "just" games for fun, but having to keep a few more variables in mind, such as learning.
Well, I suppose it's not my first, first day as I've been there before on a few meetings but whatever.
It's going to be a great learning experience, of that I'm sure. And really, that's what I'm looking for.
I still have a healthy relationship with Outbreak Studios and will help out there as much as possible.
http://www.HelloThere.se (18/1/2010)
That's what they do.
Global Game Jam
There's an international game creation competition called Global Game Jam (even better than Strawberry jam) and I just wanted to give a shout out to the Swedish branch.
http://gspgames.com (28/11/2009)
Each country as I understand it has their own competition, with different branches but they're all a part of the big Global Game Jam. One of my very close friends is Project Manager over at Gothia Science Park, the ones holding the Swedish branch this year. It's the first year Sweden is a part of it.
http://globalgamejam.org
The Global Game Jam (GGJ) was founded in 2008 as an IGDA event to broaden the outreach of the organization while giving the world an opportunity to create games in the world’s largest Game Jam to date. The 1st Annual Global Game Jam was held January 30-Feburary 1, 2009 to much critical acclaim and success. With over 1600 participants in 23 countries, the GGJ produced 370 games.
- http://globalgamejam.org/jam (28/11/2009)
If you participate, you're placed in a team and you're supposed to create a game within 48 hours. Awesome! Have a look if there's a Game Jam in your country as well.
And if you're in Sweden, why not join? I have, so maybe we'll end up in the same team?
See you there!
http://gspgames.com/anmalan
Ego Boost
In the last few months I don't know how many discussions I've had with people feeling really nervous when they're about to go to a work interview, or just prepare for a phone interview.
This is no way restricted and limited to the game development industry, those are just the jobs people in my social network applies for.
Anyway, the night before an interview people (me included) feel really, really nervous and tries to figure out, prepare and account of every situation but in a way, it's a great night.
Because really, what you do before an interview is try and think of and remember everything good about yourself. It's a great feeling when all that circles in your mind are awesome things about yourself. You (hopefully) start to think, I'm actually good at some stuff.
It's therapy really.
Everyone should do that every now and then. Dedicate some time for just thinking about how awesome you are.
Where does the money go?
I friend asked me a question and my brain just froze, because I have no idea what the right answer is. (That never happens to me!)
- Now what GRIN has shut down, where does GRIN's money from sold Bionic Commando, Wanted and Terminator: Salvation go?
I have no idea! Now, the foot soldiers at GRIN never got to know much about the bussiness aspects of GRIN, but I assume that GRIN got some royalties from each sold copy of their games. But now when GRIN is gone, where does that money go? I suppose that the most likely answer is that the publishers just keep it for themself.
Does anyone know how things like these work?
Have kids sell them!
The other day the doorbell rang and my girlfriend went to open it. There stood a little boy, seemingly lost and afraid of the world. He eventually managed to explain that he was selling small books full of different coupons with sale offers. My girlfriend really didn't want this, nor did she feel like spending the money. However, she like so many others can't help but feel an obligation to be nice to the kid and spent the 100 Swedish Crowns anyway.
So now she's sitting there, with a stack of crappy coupons on her hands and the kid is running around somewhere with a deviant grin on his face.
This is a brilliant scheme used for a long, long time; having kids sell stuff because people "just have to be nice to them". That's why I'm thinking about gathering up a troop of children (maybe using candy, I hear that's the most effective way to have them follow you) and having them run all around Sweden selling my privately developed indie-games!
Pure genius!
Please, Mr! I'm selling these fine leather jackets.
Oh, and btw! A new awesome game design project, somewhat similar to my blog is taking off on monday. Be ready! More info on monday!
I’ve designed for
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