Wow. I can't believe it's already been almost a month since my last post. I really didn't mean for it to be so long. My new job has really kept me busy over the last month and a half.

I'm still learning the ropes and reading more books. I'm working on a small, practice Flash game (similar to Tetris), mostly for learning better collision detection and multi-collision detection. I've been procrastinating for the last week with it, though. I need to get back on track.

You'd think that making a Tetris-like game would be simple and easy… en toto, it is, it's coming up with a, what I've termed, slot-collision detection scheme. i.e. How to tell when two pieces with very different shapes "notch" together. Coming up with a way to do it hasn't been my problem, it's deciding on which one to use and to allow me to expand up later on that's the problem.

To any of my fellow Kansas Citians, pray for clear skies, I'm tired of this overcast.

Tags: Idle

Well, for the last few weeks I've been trying to get some research done on Game Design. I picked up a few books off of Amazon (Game Engine Architecture , 3D Game Programming All in One & Game Coding Complete, Third Edition to be specific) a few weeks ago and I'm still on the first one (Game Engine Architecture) to help me get my head around the mechanics and typical design techniques of today's games.

To say the least, I've been a bad student. I haven't been doing my homework, putting off studying and just plain watching TV instead of doing what I should be doing. But no more , I say! Don't get me wrong, I haven't been lazy. I'm one of those people that, when I sit down to read a book, I get comfortable…. and subsequently fall asleep. Regardless of my interest in the book I'm reading, I go to the land of the sugarplum fairies.

I think I may have an answer for my predicament, though. I don't know if I'm going to enjoy my solution, but it has to be done. I'm going to sit on the floor. Simple, yes. Easy, not for my rear.

Granted, the first book I'm reading actually is a textbook. i.e. The book you would get if taking a class on Game Design & Architecture. So, cut me a little slack that I'm still on the first chapter. Plus, it is 864 pages long and that's not a small paperback book, either. It's a whopping 9.4" x 8.2" x 2" hardcover badass of a book. This thing could knock someone out if it fell off a second story window.

Why am I posting this, you ask? While I haven't been the most avid of posters, I may be posting less than normal… even for me. In the last year I have posted more and about more than in the past. But, there may be benefits from peaking into my den once in a while. As I explore these tomes of knowledge and try to wring every morsel of juicy goodness from them that I can, I will most assuredly be posting my experiments up here. The first ones I'll most likely leave off and allow them to whither in the dank, dark pit that they will most likely be thrown into on my machine since they will undoubtedly make me think, "What the hell was I thinking making that?" You know, kinda how Dr. Frankenstein thought when he made the Frankenstein Poodle. Nobody likes to speak of it.

So, if you share my enthusiasm for learning all that is game, check out the books I posted and, if you have any to suggest, please leave a comment.

Until next time!

Tags: Programming

Well, sorry to have been away for a spell. A lot of things have changed for me recently.

First off, I got a new job for a large marketing firm locally. Started last week and it's been pretty cool and busy. I'm enjoying it a lot and the job is a really cool one. Cool co-workers, cool environment and fast-paced work. Oh, and did mention that we are located on the tarmac of the KC Downtown Airport?! Is that not cool or what? I get to see private jets take off, local news stations' helicopter pop in and out, oh, and not to mention the fighter jets and bombers that buss the airfield. Totally awesome.

Second, my previous employers made sure to get their money's worth out of me before I left, a couple weeks ago. I guess that's a good thing. It was hard leaving but I'm glad I did. The place was awesome and I loved the people I worked with, but I needed to move on. So is this profession of mine.

What do I do, you may be asking. Well…. stuff like my own website. I'm a Web Developer/Designer, with a good helping of Flash/Actionscript Developer, all accompanied by a dash of sarcastic whit.

Annnnnway. That all said, and the reason as to why I haven't posted in a while, I've got updates on this year's upcoming FanFaire. Since my video last year was, at best, sub par, I bought a HD camcorder. I know, I know, I'm crazy. Add to that… IT'S HERE TODAY! Yay! I love getting new tech.

I'm going to do some testing and get stuff ready for this year and hopefully be able to bring some much better quality footage for everyone.

Anyway. Keep an eye out for the next update!

Tags: FanFaire, Idle, SOE

All I have to say is "WOW"! I just finished the game after playing it intermitently for the past 4-5 days. The game was well put together and very compelling.

I loved the storyline, the cinematics and combat. I won't say that I was the best coordinated Jedi… saying that I was even a moderately good Jedi would be generous, lol!

I can honestly say that I went through the entire game without using one cheat code. That's probably a first for me with a console game.

To be completely honest, I don't think I can come up with the words to express how amazing this game was. The physics engine, the graphics engines, et al were amazing. I loved the dialogue and the cinematic feel that the game gave. I'll admit, I bought the Sith Edition. But, I don't know if there was a whole lot of difference between it and the regular. Oh well, I'm still pleased and will be watching the cinematics for grins.

Tune in for other game critiques and gossip!

Tags: Games, Gaming, Star Wars

Who's ready to rock Sin City? *raises hand*

That's right. The SOE FanFaire 2010 will be held in Las Vegas again this year. I'm a little sad but also happy that's it going to be in Vegas again. I'm sad because it's been there for the past 2 years and I wouldn't mind a new locale. However, on the flip-side, I'm happy that it's in Vegas because of the rockin' time I had last year and all the stuff I didn't get to do and see.

So, down to the nitty-gritty details.

When: August 5^th -8^th
Where: Bally's Hotel
What's to do: Tons!

• Special announcements and sneak peaks of upcoming SOE titles
• In-game tournaments and live, game-themed competitions and quests
• Developer forums and roundtables
• Cool giveaways and other fun items!

Visit the Fan Faire website at www.soefanfaire.com  for up-to-date information on registration, pricing and schedules. Tickets are expected to go on sale early this spring.

The Schedule is still pending, so keep an eye out. As soon as I know, I'll be sure to post it up here so you can know when the panels and events that you want to attend will be.

Never been to a SOE FanFaire before? Then come and have some fun! Join fellow gamers for discussion, talks, games, prizes and just plain fun. Get to talk to the people who make your favorite games and, maybe, even get to shoot them some of your ideas!

Oh, one last thing! I want to say a humungous KUDOS to the team at SOE for getting this info out quicker than I've seen in the last 4 years. And to that, a GI-NORMOUS Kudos to Tiffany Spence (aka Amnerys) who has been working her fingers to the bone getting everything together. Yay, Tiff! (I think I may die for calling her “Tiff” btw, so if no one hears from me post-FanFaire, you know what happened.)

Tags: FanFaire, SOE