8/16/2014

So, just an update. Unfortunately not much has been going on with me. I've got this client project that I've been slaving away on for a long time. It's got me overwhelmed and anxious as I did not realize it would involve graphics programming and to such an intense depth. I have been reading all over the place about direct3d9 and general graphics programming information. Gah! I'm also working with a deadline and I've been hitting brick walls since the beginning.
Anyways, if you have any interest in graphics programming or how it works, I'd recommend you check out this article I found on Reddit/gamedev here

It's a lot of information and the guy who wrote it is an artist whom spent 2 months reading on the subject of draw calls which is closely entwined with graphics programming concepts. Mostly around the hardware level. However the guy who wrote it is an artist and has writen it in an easy to understand format with animations to help.

Anyways, I have found a big desire to create my Starship game. Thinking about working on it the same amount that I have put into this client project (About 30 hrs a week. On top of my part time job at Starbucks.) But man, I really need to get this graphics programming job done! I had no idea when I started that the subject would be involved, or that it was so in-depth. It is always surprising to me to think that I can do something simple, like make a copy of the screen, and then find out that its another new can of worms to do that. On top of that, I learned C++ for this project. I just learned it about two weeks ago and I am using it, and further more, having to discover a pipeline, and a whole new conceptual subset of programming. This is also my first client, so I have no frame of reference on whether this is normal or I have gotten myself into a mess, or this is just a project that is way beyond the scope of the place I am at right now. I am gonna tell my client that I need someone with more experience with graphics programming to work with on the project. Not sure if it is normal practice to do something like this or not.

So yeah that's what's going on with me right now. I thought I would write a new update. I hear that people like to know the developers and feel like their human so I figured I'd let a bit of my problems show through. I'm really hoping to get back to game development. On the Save the animals project, we just got a committed artist to work on it with us. I'm hoping things will get rolling there, but I am also afraid that with this current project, I will have trouble keeping up. Man I haven't really had a day off in a while. Alright well, stay cool peeps!

P.S. wanted to show two games:
One is an indie game that's becoming more popular called "Five Nights at Freddy's" In this game you work as a security guard at a place that is like Chuck'e Cheese, but all the animatronics come alive at night and try to stuff you inside them. The game is a mixture of Horror and resource management. You can check out the demo Here

The other game is one my friend told me about called We Need To Go Deeper. It's is very similar to my Starship game idea, in that you are multiple players working together to pilot something. I thought it was interesting. The game has been Greenlit, and the videos on the Greenlight page are pretty self explanatory if you want to know more. Although I think my game is more like Space Team in it's communication based teamwork, but anyways.

I hope to talk to you all soon! Stay cool :3