Producer + Designer + Programmer = Developer

The Gaming Division of the company I work for has four (4) classifications for employees: Game Producers, Game Designers, Game Programmers, and Game Developers. I will try, to the best of my understanding and knowledge, give you a general scope of the responsibilities of each position.

• Game Producers - Game Producers are the people who conceptualize a game. They are the guys who tell you what type of games to make. They would mostly try to think of a new game concept, or at times browse the web for existing games and find ways of improving them. If you see a game and find it cool, or crappy, then these guys are the ones who'll receive the praises or the criticisms. They also delegate the work to the designers, as well as programmers.
• Game Designers - Game Designers are also known as the Graphic Artists. They are responsible for making the graphics, and layout of the games we play. And at times, they also provide the music, and sound effects for the game.
  
• Game Programmers - The people who make the games come to life. Producers work closely with the programmers to make sure that all aspects of the game are followed, and the game plans are enforced.
• Game Developers - Producers may be designers, and programmers may be producers... but if you put all three together, then you have a Game Developer. A game developer conceptualizes a game, then makes the graphics, then programs the game.

I would say that most, if not all, game developers are freelancing. It would be quite a rare catch to find a developer in a game development company because these companies usually have producers, designers, who take care of the pre-production process of the game. Game Developers have an easy way out since they don't need to make everything, and as such, are "demoted" to either designers, or programmers.

Post It!

Most of the time while sitting in front of my PC, whether surfing, playing games, or programming, I would grab a piece of paper and write down notes; reminders of sorts... like appointments, usernames and passwords, or almost anything that should cross my mind. This would leave the place littered with paper that would at most times be misplaced and make the place look like a dump. With that in mind, i present to you my Flash Desktop Wallpaper.

This has been one of my fave works of all time. It has a few neat features which help me get on with my day while at work. First off, the notes.

The Notes solves almost all my note-taking problems. I can add notes, place them anywhere on the desktop, then delete them if i no longer need them. What's cool about it is that even if you turn off your PC, the notes will still be where they're supposed to be.

Calendar and Event Reminder. Not wanting to forget all those dates and occassions, these guys prove to be a valued addition to the app. Just like the notes, event entries can be added and deleted, and will hold events for the whole year. A little note at the bottom of the event list also reminds you of the number of days left before the next event. Both the Calendar and Event Reminders auto-update, meaning you don't have to turn off your PC to see the date change.

Picture Slideshow. A picture slideshow loads images from a specific folder located on the harddrive. It is currently set to load images in 5 second intervals. You can also drag the picture frame (container) to any part of the destop.

And lastly, an MP3 Player. Similar to the picture slideshow thingie, the player loads mp3's from a specific folder on the harddrive, which acts as your playlist. Basic functionality includes power on/off, play/stop, and forward/back. You can also drag the player to any part of the desktop.

A lot of people, friends and family mostly, have showed interest in this desktop tool and have ask me whether i'd go commercial with it. Right now it works fine for me, but it will need a bit more tweaking before it's ready to multiply. To date, only three people have this installed as their desktop wallpaper: a marketing executive, the CEO of the company I currently work for, and myself.

Back on Track

I'm Back. After almost a year of inactivity, i've finally found the time to get things up and running again. Sorry for the delay, but things have been quite hectic after my last post. I am now currently working as the lead game developer for an online flash game portal here in the beautiful city of Dubai.

In the days to come i'll be posting my experiences working as a game developer so all you game-developer-wannabees will more or less get an idea of whats it's like to be one.

In the meantime, it's back to work. I'll be showing you my works a bit later on when i free up some of my time. Cheers guys!

A Job Offer....

I'm willing to offer you $XX,XXX per year...+ visa for 3 years, plus one free ticket back home every year etc, to work from .......... office in Dubai.

Got this email from an online Flash gaming site's administrators. What do you think?

Map Generator

The start of 2006 was kinda slow for Earlsgames. Been "busy" so to speak with other projects, and after my previous post, i kinda started to think about the kind of games i wanted to make.

So I stopped the usual routine of making games and focused more on learning more advanced methods of game making. So until such time, i'm afraid this Blog of mine will see fewer entries.

Anyways, that beside the point, i just wanted to show you this Map Generator thing.

I made this application for that big secret project I mentioned a while back. You can probably imagine how big the project is... and who wouldn't? It's not everyday a Flash game will have it's own map generator program.

Similar to other map maker apps like those of Command and Conquer, and Warcraft, the "generator" basically does the same thing, but on a simpler level.

It features a flat isometric 16x16 tile grid. Each tile can be raised or lowered to build the map that you want, and tiles can be "removed" to represent cliffs or bodies of water. The generator allows you to save, and load maps to the hard drive via .map files and export the map as an image.

It also features a texture editing mode (disabled in this version) so you can have a good feel of how the final map will look like when finished. You can have grass textures, wild growth, sand, bricks, rubble, rock, pavement, marble, and of course, water. I disabled the feature for the time being because it affected the application's performance. I still needed to optimize the code, but set it aside for now.

After making the map layout, all i had to do now was to export the map as an image, and send the image over to the map renderers who in turn will use a combination of 3D Studio Max (or any other 3D application they like) and Photoshop (or any other image editing tool they like) to come up with the final map.

Maps will have their own themes, depending on which part of the game we plan to put them in. Once the game is launched, the generator may be downloaded along with the game client so players can design and render their own maps.

These maps will then be submitted to us for review, making sure it fits proper specifications for the game itself. If the map is ok, it will be automatically be included in map updates so players from all over can download and use the map. Pretty cool eh?

The actual game is nearing the start of our "internal alpha" phase where all of the guys involved with the project will get to play it and give their comments. After that, we start finalizing alpha for the Beta release. The website is currently in development and should come out a couple of weeks before the Beta.

A developer's thoughts...

I've done a lot of thinking these past couple of weeks regarding the future of Flash games. As an active contributor to an online Flash Forum, i came to know the concerns of most game developers in regards to game portals (buyers), and online games' indirect competition with console (ps2, xbox, etc) games.

A number of professional developers are concerned with the turnover of low quality Flash games into the online community, being sold to gaming portals for substandard prices. There are a lot of game portals that take advantage of the "game-developer-wannabees." These sites, i would like to think, have the belief that "more games equal more visitors." Which of course it true. But what they fail to realize is that if those games are not quality games, then these visitors would stop playing even before starting.

Quality games? A lot of arguement has been poured onto this specific topic. What makes a quality game? Graphics? Sounds? Features that appeal to one's senses are a big plus, but does that automatically mean that a game is top-notched just because of it's realistic 3D graphics, and heart-pounding music and sound effects? I believe that packaging a game to attract players is not only about what's on the outside, but what's inside is equally or even more important. For me, three things make a quality game, the first being visual, the other two would be flawlessness, and experience.

A quality game should be flawless, in terms of how it was programmed; how game characters interact with the players, interact with themselves, executing of actions. In short, bug free. A game should survive without scratches. It shouldn't stop at a middle of a level, expected reactions should happen after an action. What good is a game if it can't do what it's supposed to do?

A quality game should provide a new high in gaming experience. Yeah, we've seen them countless of times, some good, some bad. But they're all the same. I'm talking about the "Attack of the Clones." It's funny how this StarWars title came and hit everything right on the spot. Clones are everywhere. How many different types of Tetris-type games have you seen? Hundreds to even thousands? It's Tetris. How many of Nintendo's Mario-type games have you seen? Those side-scrolling games where you collect items, jump or shoot at enemies along the way to reach your goal? Hundreds to even thousands? It's still Mario. And how many Space Invaders, Asteroids, Breakouts, are out there? Be my guess. We are playing the same games (with different packages) over and over again. Nothing new actually. A quality game is about new experiences. What good is a game if it can't do what it's supposed to do?

These three points are what's crucial in making the next hit game. Some may agree, some may not... but that's what i think, and that's another problem. It's a problem that a number of developers are contemplating about. The game concept. It's another issue for another day, but an equally important issue nonetheless.

Omni Shadow

For all you guys wishing to see some never before seen games on the web, Omni Shadow is the place to go. Though still to be launched later this month, the site promises a kind of gaming experience not found in any other Flash gaming community.

Games at Omni Shadow are designed, and developed by a team. We have the Graphic Crew, Music Crew, Animation Crew, Voice Talents, and of course the Gaming Crew. I am a Gaming Administrator at Omni Shadow, and will work side-by-side with some of the most talented guys out there to bring you some of the most finest games to be found on the web.

For all you guys wishing to be a part of this project, feel free and do apply at www.omnishadow.com. You're talents will not go to waste here; aside from the initial payment and commissions from sales, you will also be credited for all the work you've made. Just another addition to that portfolio of yours.

Do check it out come December 25, 2005.

New Games

Nothing much.. just wanted to show you guys 2 games currently on the development shelf.

THE 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS

Development for this game started 4 days ago, right after a client requested for a Christmas game. So far everything's on track for the scheduled December 1st delivery.

You play the game as Santa Claus. After travelling the globe delivering gifts to every boy and girl, you are left with your own neighborhood. You have decided to let Rudolph and the other reindeers take their much deserved rest and deliver the gifts by foot. Unfortunately, weather conditions in the North Pole won't make it easy; bringing in snow storms every night, and making paths almost unpassable. But of course, that won't stop you! Make your way to the different houses through the maze-like structures left behind by the storm. Can you deliver all the gifts in time for Christmas?

12 Days of Christmas offers 12 levels of play... with mazes varying in size and difficulty. 4 Bonus levels have been added to add spice to your path finding routine. The game also features a number of Christmas carols playing in the background which will surely contribute to the spirit of Christmas! If you want to play the game, you'll have to wait til it's been published online.


THE POOL SALOON

With a number of pool/billiard games out there, what makes this game different? You have your standard game objects, like the table, the colored balls, the cue stick... and what else?

The Pool Saloon offers a single player 9-Ball game. You start the game with $100, makng "bets" on every shot you make. The game also allows you to call your shots, giving you more winnings if the shot goes in. The more accurate you are, the richer you become. Who said you can't be a millionaire playing pool? Just be sure not to risk your fortunes over one shot, or you may find yourself losing more than you own!

Future versions of the game will include varying game modes like 8-Ball and Straights. Multiplayer mode (like Yahoo! pool) is also a possible add-on.

A Company in the Making....

Just got home from Tiendesitas, that high-class "tiangge" place along C5. Was with Carol and a couple of good friends like Richard, Gigi, Dodge(?), Dulce, Ariel, Eva, Bingle, and a couple of Eva's friends.

Anyway, that beside the point, i thought i was past the "flash-game sermons" from my bro Carl, and sis Yang... only to be bombarded by more sermons from Dodge and Richard. No matter how good the deal i think i have been getting from selling Flash games, it always seems like i'm at the losing end. In short, a new company in the making.

That makes three companies with my name in the frontlines. The first is focused on backend-web programming, the second is a game development company that primarily targets local soil, and this new one, also a game development company that will focus more on the international market

A lot of doors have been opening up since i decided to quit my regular job as a IT Lecturer two years ago. It quite a big leap from an annual salary of around 150k to a possible 1M. I'm still thinking about the possibilities of where my passion will take me... but i know that it should be for another day.

I was never good at dreams... or ambitions; i gave that up years ago. I live for today, and if today is okay, then tomorrow will be to.

IKAW NA KAYA SI ZSAZSA?

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TANGHALANG PILIPINO ZSAZSA ZATURNNAH (ZE MUZIKAL)AUDITIONS - EVER!
When : November 29, 2005 2PM-8PM and December 6, 2005 2PM-8PM

Where : Bulwagang Amado Hernandez (Conference Room) Ground Floor, CCP MAIN BLDG.

REQUIREMENTS:
1. MUST BE AT LEAST 18 YRS. OLD

2. PREFERABLY WITH THEATER EXPERIENCE

3. CAN SING VERY WELL (We mean it!)

4. RESUME WITH 2X2 HEADSHOT (or bigger)

Auditionees must BELT OUT A COMIC RENDITION OF A SERIOUS SONG (a capella or accompanied by minus-one/music piece), complete with DANCE STEPS OR MOVEMENT (Yes, solo production number ito.)
NOTE: Wearing of costume is strongly encouraged.

Please register by phone beginning November 22, 2005. For more details, call the TP office at 832-3661 or832-1125 locals 1620/1621. (pero utang na loob, walang mga nakapagngingitngit na tanong para hindi ma-IM angmga dakilang taga-TP at mabagsakan kayo ng phone, ok?) =)

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Yeay, so happy that my bro's creation is going to the stage, a very rare opportunity for comic book heroes. High Five bro! Wla ba libre ticket?? hehe