Gaming Resolutions
New Year's Resolutions are mostly useless, but often a fun exercise to pinpoint what exactly is important to you. I want to learn a few things related to game development that I think would be fun once I figured out how to do them, but also good for the career. It's difficult to spend time making games after work though, especially when I spend all day making games.
Level design tops the list. It's just a fundamental tool of design for action games. And at some point I want to make action games. The top of my list is Valve's Hammer Editor, for use with Source. I'd love to make a map for Day of Defeat or Team Fortress 2. I also want to make a map for World in Conflict. I've worked with similar tools before, so this one should be less difficult from a tech perspective. Design wise they are equally difficult.
I also need to touch up my writing. I'm way out of practice and my creativity is a bit shot at this point. Not sure what to focus on here, but something needs to improve.
If it's at all possible, I want to play more games. Different types, play certain games longer and really try to find some new stuff to play. Also, go back and play some games a second time. Bioshock, Half Life 2 Episode 2 (w/ Developer Commentary), Portal, TF2 and skate all come to mind.
(posted by grant at 1/04/2008)
