What To Do?

Well, again I fail at keeping regularly updated. I guess I have just been distracted as always. But I have to say, it is quite nice to be able to get my thoughts out in one place every now and again. I think it helps keep me sane(ish).

Since my last post I have been fairly busy. I have been applying to jobs (a somewhat daunting task). The strange thing is, every time I send out a copy of my resume I realize something else that can be fixed on it or something I need to do to improve it. I suppose it it probably like that with everyone straight out of college but it is such a strange feeling to be "finished with school" and have so much to do.

So on that note, to improve my portfolio/resume I am currently working on a level design. I haven't decided what engine to use. I'd like to learn Source a bit more so that will probably be the one I use, though using Unreal isn't out of the question. I am also kicking around designs for a card game. Even though I have no idea how to even try to publish one it is something I want to try. Lastly, I have been trying to jot down ideas for rapid design games (and failing because unfortunately it is a little lower on my totem pole of things to do).

Besides all of that I have also been working for fun on a number of things. A Pathfinder campaign using Obsidian Portal, an incredibly easy tool. Improving my writing through various RP forums, RP gaming, and personal writing. Keeping a dream journal. Amature photography with my new camera (a nikon d60). Amoung other random things (reading Campbell mostly).

So I have a lot on my plate, I am having a bit of trouble prioritizing but only because all of it is so interesting. I need to create deadlines for myself...

Anywho, I am off to to help my father ventilate our roof. Thanks for reading.
~Brian

Just the Start

So, this is the beginning of my 4th and final year here at Champlain. It will certainly be an interesting one by the looks of it. I am taking 5 classes 3 of which of which will require somewhere in the area of 10 hours a week including class time. I am doing 40 hours of community service this semester (not sure where yet but if you have suggestions I'm open to them). Plus 2 projects for the EMC both requiring somewhere in the range of 10 hours a week. I am totally excited for all of it but I feel like my social needs are going to take a bit of a hit because of this. Level Design is going to be an incredible class where I will get to learn a little bit more about a ton of different engines (my first class is tomorrow). Senior Team Project is exciting because it will give me a chance to really push myself with my partner and make something that is finally something I would actually want to show a potential employer. Finally Advanced Seminar will be exciting because I get to explore some of the crazier ideas I have had for game concepts and get more experience with rapid prototyping. Some of my ideas for that one are a game that is meant to be played by feel or that is designed specifically for the blind (this one I am pumped about but will probably be the most challenging) and another idea I had that was inspired by Orson Scott Card's books Speaker for the Dead and Xenocide, I love his Sci-Fi theories on the soul and connections and wanted to play with those ideas in a mechanic. So to say the least I am feeling the pressure already.

Aside from all of that, the Emergent Media Center (EMC) projects I have been working on have taken a bit of a break for this week but it is very much needed. Last week was my trip to Africa for the UNFPA project and my mind has been swirling ever since the day we landed. We saw so many things and learned so much it is hard to put into words. It was a very draining trip emotionally, physically, mentally, etc. So I am grateful to have this week to try and collect my thoughts (many of which are scrawled randomly in a journal). The Information Literacy project I haven't heard much of (because of my trip) and I have a feeling that it will be a struggle to get a finished product on time. Everything is there it just needs to be put together and that seems to be out of my hands for now (though I am trying my best to do what I can still). I will be working on both throughout the semester and hopefully I can keep posting my thoughts on the projects as they progress.

Thanks for reading.

I'm in South Africa

So this is so strange. When I first started college I never thought I would end up in Africa let alone making a game dealing with issues such as domestic violence. I think this experience speaks for itself and I am having a hard time figuring out how to put it in words, especially tonight knowing that tomorrow we will be going to an elementary school and we are apparently expected to dance for them...

The rest of the day I am excited for though

Purpose

So I suppose I should probably mention who I am and what I do. Well I graduated from Salem High School in New Hampshire in 2005 and that is really when all of this started. I began going to Champlain College in Burlington Vermont. I am now going into my fourth year in the Electronic Game and Interactive Development as a Designer. I am currently working on 2 game projects right now and in my last year here I will be working on my Senior project as well as other design courses involving level design and prototyping. I honestly am not sure where I am going after this year. I am not even sure what it is I want to do. All I know is that I love writing and design theory so hopefully I can find something to combine the two. Anyway, that is sort of the reason I finally decided to start this blog. I want to keep writing even if it is not entirely relevant to my profession. I also want to keep my brain thinking about Design theories. I hope to share my design processes a little here and to share my concepts and some of my writing (as well as empty my head of strange personal thoughts so if those put you off just ignore them). I will soon go into detail on the projects I am working on but this is mostly to give this place a foot hold and get me in the habit of using it. Again thanks for reading.