General Update #2

 Re-Upload (original date: 10/15/2020)


Lately I've been having fun with the development/programming side of things.

Some things I've been working on lately:

My Twine Game

Using the Godot Engine

Experimenting with Unix (Fedora Core 32)

I've been very interested in storytelling and writing lately, as well as sketching here and there. I recently finished a section of my Twine game and have been doing my usual minor editing and polishing. Using Godot seems to be a higher priority to me as it has much more implications than just text-based games, but working on that twine game has still been a wonderful design process. I am looking toward doing some Godot courses online and then trying to making some of the small-scope video games I've designed.

Sketches (update #1)

 Re-Upload (original date: 07/13/2020)

Hello,

Here, I provide a little context about the process of my sketches.

The two drawings of the woman were done with a live model, on large paper and an easel. They each took about 45-60 minutes in-class time and then another 30-60 minutes to finish the shading. The other drawings took longer and were focused more on contour lines. The rhinoceros took at least 6-8 hours over about 3-4 drawing sessions. This one was done relatively early on in my Intro to Drawing course. The other two, the set of hands and the Vitruvian Man were done in the later weeks of my Human Form Drawing course. I would estimate they both took at least 4 hours each. I'd also like to note that, though these are all reference drawings, I enjoy doodling and sketching from my imagination at times. I have done so since I was young, but I've been drawing more regularly since around 2015.

These are all my after the fact estimations based on my recollection.

General Update #1

Re-Upload (original date: 07/01/2020)

Hello. I would like to provide a general update on my life and game design.

On Game Design Goals:

I've been thinking one of my primary goals is to be able to scrap together my game ideas into 2d games with a minimal time loss between idea and concept/prototype. This is obviously a large goal and also one I've had a long time, but I've realized this would require of me deep proficiency with one game engine. Though I've enjoyed using Unity and GameMaker and I find Unreal appealing, I've chosen to focus on the Godot engine, primarily for its open-source nature. So, I've been trying to do tutorials for that more often. I'd like to do a couple in depth tutorials and then see how well I can put together my own game project ideas.

I've also been thinking about applying to schools for the Spring semester. I'd like to update this portfolio with some of the school projects I've mentioned, as well as potentially my Unity PlayMaker in-school project too before applying. There's also a design challenge for Champlain college that seems like it would be a good portfolio piece. It would be a tabletop game. I recognize that I could likely apply with my portfolio in this state, but I know I could add more to make it more appealing, and frankly, don't feel like I'm demonstrating nearly what I'm capable of here, yet.

I don't have any major rush to apply and find myself more inclined to work on these project for some real length. I partly want to see how much I am willing to devote to these projects in my free time before I overly commit to this career. Realistically, to get the Unity game and other school projects up as is and my other projects remain in the state they are, that would likely be good enough for Spring apps. I really seem to almost fear the prospect of ending up in this games program with a strong desire to simply be working on my own game projects, while instead I am spending my days learning specific tools I might not want or pursuing new projects when I truly should be finishing up some of my half-dozen half-pursued projects. I fear being rushed into the formal educational systems when I may feel my best education, at this point after having done so much research, lies in individual practice. I don't imagine this fear is totally valid, even if it is based on some important ideas, like trying it out on my own before committing. Realistically, a good bachelor's game program works around my educational goals or at least allows enough different classes/flexibility in projects and would potentially effectively allow me to continue my projects for credit.

I find it valuable to and hope to continue to have monthly, career/game design focused blog updates here. I also would like to allow myself to write about most anything on my mind or related here. Even if I have been focusing on other stuff, to update is a good idea. Even if it's "these are the games I'm playing and this is what I like about them."

Text-Based Game (update #1)

Re-Upload (original date: 04/30/2020) 

Hello and welcome to my second blog post. In this post, I will discuss my text-based adventure game that I made using the program Twine (http://twinery.org/).

I've developed roughly halfway through my planned story so far. After I've done what I planned, I will be editing my writing and beta testing. Somethings I'd consider adding once I'm done with the base game are more text effects like coloring, a main menu screen with potentially checkpoints to jump to in the story, and still images for passages.

I can also in the future include here my first outline that I put in my notebook as well as my notes. I'd also like to get into some of the reasoning behind my design and some of the basic programming at play.

To be continued... 

Text-Based Game (update #2)