Game Update
We’re clipping along with building all the spell animations for the game. This week we started working on some stars that would pop out of staffs/wands etc… This particle effect will happen when a magic user is using their weapon in melee mode. We had to build this effect from scratch but I’m happy with it so far. My mentor Chris has been really good about helping me learn the Unity particle system.
Still looking to move my business licence over to Florida and I think I might have enough time this next week to finally make it happen. It really depends on how busy my kids keep me this week. It’s Spring Break this week and they’re all home.
I’m making headway on the Steam Capsule art as I have a bite on someone that’s interested in helping out with it. I’ll be going through some of the ideas I have to see if they will be able to do it or not this week.
Personal Update
I was kind of thrown off this week as I expected next week to be Spring Break and had planned accordingly. I had to pivot pretty quickly when I found out that it was this week. Luckily things worked out and it’s not going to be as hard as I thought to shift scheduling over a bit.
I had the opportunity to DJ for a friends daughters birthday party this past weekend and that’s always nice when I get to do that. I was thinking that I might want to start a second website just for running a DJ business on the side. It might take more energy away from finishing the game however and so I’ll have to weigh how much time it will take. I’m also not sure of the costs to run a second website with Squarespace. Hopefully it will be a nominal amount. I can’t see myself doing it if I end up doubling my yearly fees for the website.
On the love side of things, I couldn’t be more happy right now. It’s nice to finally meet someone in which I feel so aligned. I keep saying that over and over again, I’m not sure if there’s another way to describe it. I’ve had to deal with a lot of detractors or demons with past relationships and so it’s nice to finally be in one that doesn’t seem to have that factor. It’s really helping me to focus more and get things done.
Answered Questions for an Aspiring Game Developer
7. What are the best tools/resources to learn video game design?
Learn the engine that you decide to work in. For the most part the developers making the engines want you to use them and so they've at least attempted to make something that will help you build your game. For RPG Maker I spent 3 weeks following some PDF's to learn the engine. Some tools I have spend time in outside of game development engines are Blender 3D to make 3D models, character game hub to make 2D sprites, Ableton Live to create music, etc... There are a ton of tools out there that all do all kinds of things as well as plug-ins. Think about how much time it's going to take to learn how to use a new tool and if it will actually make your job easier or not. Every minute you're spending to learn a new tool or plug in is time you aren't making your game. Be jealous about your time, and don't be afraid to walk away if a tool isn't working out. I've had to do this more than once. Also when this happens don't look at that time lost as a "waste of time" it was time spend learning something that could come in handy later or that time needed to be spent anyway to find out that it wasn't the right path.