Happy May!

Happy May! Lots of fun surprises coming from the studio this month - But before the fun surprises... the bad news!

ANTics Alpha Version [Android] downloads will be going down sometime next week as we implement the changes necessary for the commercial final version.

There will be a free version with advertisements, and a paid version for 99 cents that has no ads when it's ready to go live!

iPhone, iPad, and Windows 8 versions will likely come out in the indeterminate future

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=air.air.AnticsLite

 

The Future: Game Design Jobs and Internships I'm looking at.

Today's blog post: Plans for the future!


See also: "The Rise of Game Degrees" by EA Games.

So I'm going to be graduating soon with my first degree in Computer Science. Not soon after, I'll be graduating with my second degree in Computer Systems: Game Design. And I'm looking for some starting jobs that I can probably look into with internships and the like. I would preferably like to stick around in the Inland Empire/Orange County/Los Angeles area. But I guess I'll end up wherever the jobs take me and re-locate back here later if I want to.

Though I want to eventually go for a dream career as a game designer, it's a very loose term. Game designers can be producers, level designers, software engineers, programmers, there's no strict term for the profession. So I am really trying to diversify myself, get a starting position, and get a feel for what aspect of design I may like best. (Though at first I really liked being behind the actual design of the game, maybe I might be better suited for a producing job as a game career. Who knows what the future will hold! I'm keeping my options open, don't hold me to this entry!)

Some places I am considering for an internship/work: (Nowhere near a complete list. I have some time to look through many and find out the qualifications now so I know what to expect that employers will want for the future. I don't want to take the wrong classes and have that "oh sh*t" moment when I realize I don't meet any qualifications even though I hold a degree.)

Broken Circle Studios
Crystal Dynamics
Rockstar Games

and many other independent companies that may be willing to hire.

Personally, I would prefer the freedom of an independent company over one that is large, but again, nothing's set in stone. I have about two years to figure out what path I want to choose and until then I need to figure out what to do to get there.

What I've noticed though is that people want more than just programming experience and want knowledge in Unreal and Unity 3D game engines, as well as modeling software, like Maya. Unfortunately, to my knowledge, CSUSB doesn't have such a course in learning the ins and outs of Maya. I may have to dual-enroll somewhere else (like Crafton, for example) to get some knowledge of that program.

I also need to work on my knowledge of Microsoft Visual Studio and C#, even though it's not too different from standard C++. I'm also working on my Ruby knowledge through the Codename: EPIC project.

One thing that concerns me though is that the Codename: EPIC project will need to be finished before mid-2013 if I want to be able to actually work for any of these companies. Most (if not all) will contain a contract with a non-compete clause, which means I won't be able to release it for-profit. So I definitely need to complete it in a timely manner while still retaining quality.

I think I'm right on track for going for my dream job, though. That in itself makes me really happy.

:)



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A look back on 2010/December Goals and Updates!

A new month! The last month of 2010!

I've found this year in general to be much better than 2009. 2009 was a year filled with heartbreak, widespread political change, and a deep insightful look at what the hell was going on with my life. While I've found 2009 to be forced change upon myself (whether I wanted it or not), I've found this year to be one of personal change and a sense of advancement in my life. I've met a lot of new people and got to know some of my older friends a lot more, I experienced my first Anime Convention, I've become much more social around others (even though I'm still largely withdrawn/reclusive), I've started a new video group and met a lot of exciting and interesting people (and that video group implicitly hooked up three couples XD), I've learned how to both tweet and text people (thanks Fuego for the latter), and I've stopped using MySpace in favor of a better blog site (You're welcome, Blogspot). I've completed lots of video games that have been in completion limbo (like Final Fantasy I, and Legend of Dragoon for example).

In short (if you didn't want to read all of that mess), I've greatly enjoyed this year, I really couldn't be any happier of where I am now, and if I had a choice, I wouldn't have lived through 2010 in any other way.

Now on to December goals and updates!


Video Game Design Projects:

Shadow Kid:

My second game project, tentatively titled "Shadow Kid", is being worked on in both Unity 3D and Indie Game Maker, I'll have to present a prototype of the game sometime next week, so I'm working on it and I should be providing early screen-shots with placeholder graphics in a future blog post.

I'm looking for voice actors and level artists to help me out in the future. If you're reading this and may be interested, please message me on Facebook.

(See also: Shadow Kid Artwork/Designs)


Dojo Adventure:

I'm working on Dojo Adventure too, I've been getting messages and comments that the end of the game has a steep climb to it in terms of player vs monster level. I'm adding some areas in a couple of weeks that smooth-ens the leveling curve and makes it more enjoyable to level up between the 40's and the 60's. Expect an update to be posted around the 18th.

You can download the current version at the link below.

(See also: Dojo Adventure Download Page)

School:

Finals are coming up and I've been working my double to make sure I do well in all of my classes. I've pretty much singled out the one class that really needs work on (Digital Logic), and then I can try and hopefully pass that course and not have to worry about it.

I'm optimistic about it and hopeful that I should be in good shape. Next quarter I'm taking General Physics, Geology, Machine Organization, and Software Engineering. Fun!

(See also: Computer Science Class Flowchart)


MMOs:

Final Fantasy XIV:

I'm currently really enjoying my time in Eorzea. Since the update, I've been playing every chance I get (which, honestly, really isn't all that often due to school), but I'm aiming to play more during the Winter break. The game is at the point where I can start recommending to my friends (even though they'll most likely not listen and still not play, save for my XI friends) and I plan on having lots more adventures. I'm eagerly awaiting the December patch so Ricocant and I can continue shaping Viva Eorzea to be one of the best linkshells on the Figaro Server.

(See also: My current Final Fantasy XIV character status)

(See also: My views on Final Fantasy XIV Post-November 2010 Patch)


Final Fantasy XI:

I'm going to return to Final Fantasy XI this weekend to get level 85 Paladin and prepare for the update on December 6th that adds to the end of the Wings of the Goddess storyline. If this turns out to be the last patch they add with any sort of storyline content, I may retire from Vana'diel to continue working on FFXIV. As for the time being though, I'll be playing both FFXI and FFXIV and it makes it much easier that I get the two for $19 a month. Take that, World of Warcraft! Two addictions for $4 more than the price of one.

(See also: My current Final Fantasy XI status)


Relationship Thesis:

For people who have been keeping up with my blog posts, I've been working on a thesis of my personal view of [romantic] relationships. That can be viewed at the link below, and gets updated sparingly (as I see fit).

(See also: Relationship Thesis)


BETA Cinema:

I've outlined a detailed list for the plans for BETA Cinema this month and it is all listed in the link below.

(See also: BETA Updates)