I've updated a few bits and bobs in my CV page.
I've added a post detailing some of the wonderful (even if I do say so myself!) recommendations I've had from people I've worked with. I've also posted a blog entry 'overview' of my career experience and areas of responsibility/experience.
All the things that make me a qualified Game Designer, with any luck...
Wednesday 25 February 2009
Wednesday 18 February 2009
Keynote
I recently wrote a short 'keynote' for Edge Online, and today it went live. I've added the link in 'Me on the Web', but click here if you're as lazy as me...
Thursday 12 February 2009
Lectures
Well, today at 2pm I gave my third annual lecture to the GDP students at Abertay University. We got to give them a sneak peek at FLOCK!, which went down great.
For some reason, Abertay seem to think I'm a good example of a games professional - I studied there to get my BA in Computer Arts, and have moved on into gainful employment so I suppose they may be right. They must also think I can talk, because this is the third year I've been invited in and allowed to ramble.
The first year I did it by my lonesome, the next year I took Geoff Gunning our project manager for a hand to hold, and then this year there was one more person - John Pile Jr. He actually cornered us at the lecture last year, and now he's working with us while he finishes his Masters... just goes to show!
Anyway, we talked about how we got FLOCK! signed with the legendary Capcom (something I have first hand experience of), the processes we go through to prototype, and how we develop ideas, execute on them and then see them through to completion. Having just finished an internal post mortem on FLOCK!, we were in a good position to offer some realistic advice.
Maybe we'll get to put a post mortem article onto Gamasutra - I think it'd be good to share our experiences, I may ask my boss about that in the morning...
For some reason, Abertay seem to think I'm a good example of a games professional - I studied there to get my BA in Computer Arts, and have moved on into gainful employment so I suppose they may be right. They must also think I can talk, because this is the third year I've been invited in and allowed to ramble.
The first year I did it by my lonesome, the next year I took Geoff Gunning our project manager for a hand to hold, and then this year there was one more person - John Pile Jr. He actually cornered us at the lecture last year, and now he's working with us while he finishes his Masters... just goes to show!
Anyway, we talked about how we got FLOCK! signed with the legendary Capcom (something I have first hand experience of), the processes we go through to prototype, and how we develop ideas, execute on them and then see them through to completion. Having just finished an internal post mortem on FLOCK!, we were in a good position to offer some realistic advice.
Maybe we'll get to put a post mortem article onto Gamasutra - I think it'd be good to share our experiences, I may ask my boss about that in the morning...
Wednesday 11 February 2009
I just read this article on what it is to be a Game Designer. Very long, very detailed and very right. A small quote:
"You hold the vision, you protect it, you change it, alter it according to the demands made on you. You select the input from the team and add to and take away from the vision.
"You hold the vision, you protect it, you change it, alter it according to the demands made on you. You select the input from the team and add to and take away from the vision.
You hold it and take care of it but it is not yours."
Check it out.
Wednesday 4 February 2009
Terry Pratchett
It's funny how these things crop up. I was chatting to a friend of mine recently, and they mentioned watching a documentary about Terry Pratchett's Alzheimer's troubles. It reminded me that I love his writing and have read nearly all of his published works... but also that I have met the man.
It was at a Discworld convention of sorts, a good few years back now, probably 2002 or 2003. Anyway, I was queuing to get a book signed (The Colour of Magic) and when my turn came I asked him if he had any advice for a wannabe writer.
He thought for barely a second (hopefully a sign of this being a natural truth) before saying this:
"Pick a genre, and then don't read a single thing written in it."
...or at least words to that effect.
It doesn't take a genius to recognise what he was saying, and to this day I make an effort not to be influenced by other works that may share themes or other such similarities - and this applies to my efforts in games as well as writing.
Cheers Terry, I wish you all the comfort in the world.
It was at a Discworld convention of sorts, a good few years back now, probably 2002 or 2003. Anyway, I was queuing to get a book signed (The Colour of Magic) and when my turn came I asked him if he had any advice for a wannabe writer.
He thought for barely a second (hopefully a sign of this being a natural truth) before saying this:
"Pick a genre, and then don't read a single thing written in it."
...or at least words to that effect.
It doesn't take a genius to recognise what he was saying, and to this day I make an effort not to be influenced by other works that may share themes or other such similarities - and this applies to my efforts in games as well as writing.
Cheers Terry, I wish you all the comfort in the world.
Hello World
Hi all, just starting to use this as a portfolio/blog - hopefully this'll be easier than maintaining my own dedicated website.
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