Is anybody on this site developing games on an independent basis?
I'd love to hook up with like-minded people in the area, but I've no idea where to go.
I am. Environment/gadget artist on a small four-man crew.
I used to work at a mobile dev indie studio until last year. I'm a software engineer.
If you want to get going on game dev there are local meetups for indie and mobile devs. You should seek those out and attend.
I've thought occasionally that I might be interested in getting into developing Android games, but I don't know what platform(s) you have in mind.
Silver;
In my case, we're targeting iOS and Steamworks (PC, naturally), but our engine of choice at the moment (UDK) will target Android as well if at some point we step up to a full Unreal license. That, however, will be a long time coming. Hell, the lot of us should probably pick a day for coffee sometime, get together.
: Selkit December 02, 2012, 07:11:01 -07:00
In my case, we're targeting iOS and Steamworks (PC, naturally), but our engine of choice at the moment (UDK) will target Android as well if at some point we step up to a full Unreal license. That, however, will be a long time coming. Hell, the lot of us should probably pick a day for coffee sometime, get together.
I'm down, sure.
Never used the UDK but I've heard good things about Unity as well. Depends on what you want to make, of course.
Also, if there's some sort of meetup, let me know, I know another local who's also in the GD scene.
I'm working for a mobile game studio here in town too.
Dervacor;
Used to contract for a couple houses, also independent. If you've ever heard of Blast Aliens, or Gigaball, I put in work on both. Also, one survival horror title which I won't speak of, "produced"/vaporware'd and overpromised by a certain shyster out east.
I'm somewhat experienced in Actionscript/Flash based games, and I'm an enthusiast of practical design elements like placement, detail, polish, and flow. I wouldn't say I'm too good with programing, but I've learned the ways they direct a player's attention in good games.
Im not an official Game Dev... but <,.,< >,.,> Ima post here anyhow!
I have experience coding In VB and Flash and have been toying with making a Visual Novel... but I cant art (and I dont have the funds to commission an artist for the 150+ images I would need). I have made some simple flash games, and I have made a character editor for diablo if that counts ^,.,^
: Selkit December 03, 2012, 06:10:27 -07:00
Dervacor;
Used to contract for a couple houses, also independent. If you've ever heard of Blast Aliens, or Gigaball, I put in work on both. Also, one survival horror title which I won't speak of, "produced"/vaporware'd and overpromised by a certain shyster out east.
Awesome. I just looked up Blast Aliens, looks super cute and awesome. I couldn't find a link for Gigaball though :)
...
Uh, I guess I realized my info is pretty sparse, I'll fill out a bit of my programming XP for the curious:
I started programming when I was around 12 years old, doodled around with code into about 2nd year University. Made a warcraft 3 map called Vampirism Beast which got a bit of attention, then I did some work here in Vancouver 5 years ago for EA Blackbox (no longer a studio, merged into EAC) on Need for Speed: Most Wanted as a coop student.
Quit university because it was boring, and instead helped as a lead programmer for a Web Startup called Squareflo. Worked at BioWare on Dragon Age 2 for a bit, and then moved to San Francisco to work for TinyCo, now living in Vancouver again working in their new Canadian office.
I've been around a bit I guess, it's crazy how time flies!
I guess I should post some info about myself too.
My first computer was an old Atari console, which I programmed in Basic and 6502 assembly language.
After switching to PCs, I learned C, Java, C++, Python, Prolog, and more.
(I've avoided M$-specific languages, as that would lock me down to one platform)
HTML, Javascript, CSS, Blender.
My skillset is broad, but as I have no industry experience, I don't know how much that would count for.
Carl;
Java actually sets you up nicely for making 'Droid games. The real question is, if you can deal with a platform that has a near-total piracy rate almost regardless of what you do. ;)
: Carl Foxmarten December 19, 2012, 05:06:14 -07:00
I guess I should post some info about myself too.
My first computer was an old Atari console, which I programmed in Basic and 6502 assembly language.
After switching to PCs, I learned C, Java, C++, Python, Prolog, and more.
(I've avoided M$-specific languages, as that would lock me down to one platform)
HTML, Javascript, CSS, Blender.
My skillset is broad, but as I have no industry experience, I don't know how much that would count for.
Industry experience is good for putting deadlines and code quality in a team environment to the test. Beyond that I think it is more about the projects you've done and the fact that you care. :)
: Dervacor December 19, 2012, 11:09:35 -07:00
Industry experience is good for putting deadlines and code quality in a team environment to the test. Beyond that I think it is more about the projects you've done and the fact that you care. :)
I've found industry experience (though the vast majority of it's not game industry experience, admittedly) has helped me a lot with architecture - I tend to approach things with more of a view to modularity and reusability than I used to. I'm sure you can pick that stuff up in other places, too, though.
Industry experience sadly counts for more than you'd think, especially if you start looking at applying to larger companies.
I graduated from BCIT in 2004 with a Diploma of Technology in Computer Systems, Digital Signal Process specialty. From there I started with Magellan Interactive, where I worked until last year. I am now with a different studio that I will not name.
In my time at Magellan I worked on a lot of games, somewhere in the neighborhood of 20 - 30 over seven years. Sadly, most of them are on mobile phones that pre-date the iPhone era, making them impossible to find. However, I also have my name on several other projects on other platforms, including:
- WordJong (http://www.wordjong.com/) versions for PC, DS, Wii and DSi.
- Triple Crown Championship Snowboarding - Nintendo Wii
- FullMetal Alchemist Trading Card Game DS - Nintendo DS
- Fab 5 Soccer - Nintendo DS
: Selkit December 19, 2012, 10:31:09 -07:00Carl;
Java actually sets you up nicely for making 'Droid games. The real question is, if you can deal with a platform that has a near-total piracy rate almost regardless of what you do. ;)
I'm actually in the middle (sort of) of writing a casual game for Android.
First intended release will be minus some of the bells and whistles that the final game will have, and will also be free.
Second, and full, release ought to be relatively inexpensive as well.
Pity I'm getting bogged down in the details...
: Zen December 19, 2012, 10:40:42 -07:00Industry experience sadly counts for more than you'd think, especially if you start looking at applying to larger companies.
This is exactly what concerns me about applying to game companies.
I am a software developer but I don't develop games. However, I do mess with Blender game on a regular basis. I'm in the process of making a simple shooter game. I find creating it quite enjoyable. I saw some of your work on FA so we can talk further about game development if you're up for it.
: AlphaWuffeh December 22, 2012, 11:56:39 -07:00I am a software developer but I don't develop games. However, I do mess with Blender game on a regular basis. I'm in the process of making a simple shooter game. I find creating it quite enjoyable. I saw some of your work on FA so we can talk further about game development if you're up for it.
While games hold a special interest for me, I do work on other types of applications as well.
(they include a word-list search tool, a link-storage tool, and several other projects that haven't gotten anywhere near completion yet)