...and so it begins, the long march of ideas from those around me. I think that in my naivete I allowed myself to believe that it wouldn't happen. The truth, however, is that like others who 'get' to make things that others enjoy using and have as hobbies, I'll have the burden of someone forever coming to me and saying "I had a great thought- you should make THIS game!" Thanks for the sentiment. Thanks for thinking of me, and believing the I'd do your idea justice. Now please bugger off. The truth is that- shocker- I'm thinking of ideas, too. Chances are that the time I've put in on my ideas, and/or the schooling I'm putting myself through insures that I'll like my ideas better or that mine are better formed or more workable. Chances are more likely that I'll politely (as politely as I can muster, anyway) listen to your idea and put it at the bottom of a considerable list of ideas I have that are all waiting to be made into games.
Here's an idea- go on and develop that idea yourself. You have something more than a passing interest in the matter, why not have some fun exploring that? Case in point: my brother has now approached me with two pirate-ideas for video games. As it happens, I sort of like pirate games and have had my eye open for a good one. There's a glut of them on the market right now. There's a surge of piratey interest in our one-eyed, peg legged friends and it's shown up in board games, movies, videos games, card games, role-playing games, you name it. We don't need another pirate game. I wonder how my brother doesn't realize this. But I'm getting off the current subject- developing the idea himself. The fact is that my brother is a math guy, he loves math, and math is a big part of balancing games when you're making them. I'd argue that he could balance a game better than I could if we were both given the same amount of time to do so.
And get this, he's also made one or two board games in his day. He knows how to make a game. I've been toying with the notion of sending him off to talk to board game publishers to see if they'll bite on his game. So why the heck doesn't he work some on this game idea himself? Why doesn't take a little time to research it before pestering me?
Bah. I say 'bah' to the idea that he's doing it to help me. He's like many- he wants in, but only wants to do the fun and creative concept part. How do I know? I pestered a friend of mine to do a comic with me. I had great ideas. Wonderful ideas. He said hat he'd go along with it, as long as I drew the sucker. "Where's the fun in that?", thought I. I had approached him so that I could do the fun writing concept stuff, and HE could do the crappy old drawing. See? That's how I know what's going on. I've pulled the same stunt. I lost interest in making a comic once I had to put in more than a minimal amount of work. My brother, and I assuming many future others are going to lose interest in making games as son as I tell them to break out their calculators and crunch some numbers, or draw up a level, or any of the other arduous tasks that go along with real design.
So, as politely as I can manage- leave me alone unless you've done enough groundwork to wow me with your idea. Do NOT hand me a concept so that I can 'run with it'. No thanks. I've got plenty of those on my plate already.
Monday, March 17, 2008
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Motivation
It took three days to write this post. I knew I wanted to do it on motivation; ever since we watched JFK's inaugural speech. You know the one: "Ask not what your country can do for you..." It just didn't happen, though. I couldn't get myself to sit in front of the keyboard long enough to concentrate.
I don't really have an outline, but that wasn't the problem. There are times when you don't feel up to a task for whatever reason. You wrestle with it in your mind- you know it has to be done, or maybe it doesn't, like this post. I do it because it's good to put things through the wringer and see how you really feel about them, but I don't get paid. It's not an assignment for some school. It's just for me. But let's pretend it is critical for some reason. Often, that only leads to procrastination. We go from a "I'll get to it when I can" mentality to a "Geez, I know I have to do it, but it can't wait a little longer" mindset. We hit the snooze button, so to speak.
Right, so we watched JFK's speech. It was interesting. He posed America in a stance of moral responsibility. Americans had been through hard times, but we were rebuilding. We had an obligation to protect freedom wherever it was. I felt I was watching the beginning of the movement that has lead us into Iraq and Afghanistan. It's funny how we can proceed from defending others to an aggressive stance to implement democracy in the name of freedom. We no longer defend it where others have cried out for it, we've come to see it as a necessary component to anyone's life- even other culture's citizens.
It's even funnier that the result is that we've lost some freedoms here in the pillar of of our ideology. I've talked with at least one person who won't travel to the US for fear of having personal possessions ceased (like a notebook), or being detained for looking suspicious(he's German). That's not so far fetched considering the announcements in airports, railway stations, and even on the L to watch for suspicious items or behavior. An outsider could rightly be alarmed by that, yes? If we knew Japanese, and that's what we heard over the loudspeaker, wouldn't we be inclined to take it at face value? Yikes.
The impetus to write about this versus the sloth in action hit me personally, however. It was never the right time when I felt like writing. It was this big task waiting for me that was only there to instill some sort of regimen to my writing. I want to write about something else, I just don't know what. I want to do just this one thing before I start ,and THEN I 'll get it done. These all sound like whiny excuses; procrastinations; lazy to some. But I'm not lazy, I just work differently.
A fellow student remarked a few months ago that he was surprised to find that he wasn't lazy when there was something he felt like doing. We were taking classes designed to open our creative floodgates. I've felt the same. There are times when I've focused for almighty hours to get something done, such as putting together an adventure for D&D, and not realized that I'd just worked the entire day. At the same time, I (and I presume this classmate) have been programmed to think of ourselves as poor working performers due to this reliance on motivation. We should be able to get things done regardless of inspiration, I've been told. Work ethic is something that is present or not- it's all very cut and dry.
I'd contend that this is untrue. I think to little emphasis is placed on motivating people to do what needs to be done, or on finding someone who is motivated by doing a task, rather than finding someone who is motivated by the money they would make doing the task. I know this sounds like I'm repeating things we all know if already true. I feel that it is forgotten, though. Often.
Most of the damn time, in fact.
I read an article just this morning that contends that schools teach people how to be workers rather than creative thinkers. I agree. That's carried over into the workplace, as well. I don't know how often I've heard ( and used) the phrase "You're being paid to do this" as justification for a task. What kind of motivation is that? What kind of leadership is that? I've also scoffed at articles that I've come across that say the new generation of worker focuses more on being catered to, than previous workers. I thought, "We must have a bunch of self-centered jerks coming into the workplace and I don't want to work with them".
I'm starting to see the nuance between the two, though. I think maybe, just maybe, you can have a responsible adult that gets their work done with that attitude. I don't think it's too much for the American Worker to show up to work and say "I need to be motivated. I'll work harder and better if you give me that."
I'd like to be that worker. I'd like to hire that worker- provided they know what motivates them. If they're a product of our current schools and reply that money motivates them, I'd be skeptical, but if they said nearly anything else... yeah, I'd hire 'em.
I don't really have an outline, but that wasn't the problem. There are times when you don't feel up to a task for whatever reason. You wrestle with it in your mind- you know it has to be done, or maybe it doesn't, like this post. I do it because it's good to put things through the wringer and see how you really feel about them, but I don't get paid. It's not an assignment for some school. It's just for me. But let's pretend it is critical for some reason. Often, that only leads to procrastination. We go from a "I'll get to it when I can" mentality to a "Geez, I know I have to do it, but it can't wait a little longer" mindset. We hit the snooze button, so to speak.
Right, so we watched JFK's speech. It was interesting. He posed America in a stance of moral responsibility. Americans had been through hard times, but we were rebuilding. We had an obligation to protect freedom wherever it was. I felt I was watching the beginning of the movement that has lead us into Iraq and Afghanistan. It's funny how we can proceed from defending others to an aggressive stance to implement democracy in the name of freedom. We no longer defend it where others have cried out for it, we've come to see it as a necessary component to anyone's life- even other culture's citizens.
It's even funnier that the result is that we've lost some freedoms here in the pillar of of our ideology. I've talked with at least one person who won't travel to the US for fear of having personal possessions ceased (like a notebook), or being detained for looking suspicious(he's German). That's not so far fetched considering the announcements in airports, railway stations, and even on the L to watch for suspicious items or behavior. An outsider could rightly be alarmed by that, yes? If we knew Japanese, and that's what we heard over the loudspeaker, wouldn't we be inclined to take it at face value? Yikes.
The impetus to write about this versus the sloth in action hit me personally, however. It was never the right time when I felt like writing. It was this big task waiting for me that was only there to instill some sort of regimen to my writing. I want to write about something else, I just don't know what. I want to do just this one thing before I start ,and THEN I 'll get it done. These all sound like whiny excuses; procrastinations; lazy to some. But I'm not lazy, I just work differently.
A fellow student remarked a few months ago that he was surprised to find that he wasn't lazy when there was something he felt like doing. We were taking classes designed to open our creative floodgates. I've felt the same. There are times when I've focused for almighty hours to get something done, such as putting together an adventure for D&D, and not realized that I'd just worked the entire day. At the same time, I (and I presume this classmate) have been programmed to think of ourselves as poor working performers due to this reliance on motivation. We should be able to get things done regardless of inspiration, I've been told. Work ethic is something that is present or not- it's all very cut and dry.
I'd contend that this is untrue. I think to little emphasis is placed on motivating people to do what needs to be done, or on finding someone who is motivated by doing a task, rather than finding someone who is motivated by the money they would make doing the task. I know this sounds like I'm repeating things we all know if already true. I feel that it is forgotten, though. Often.
Most of the damn time, in fact.
I read an article just this morning that contends that schools teach people how to be workers rather than creative thinkers. I agree. That's carried over into the workplace, as well. I don't know how often I've heard ( and used) the phrase "You're being paid to do this" as justification for a task. What kind of motivation is that? What kind of leadership is that? I've also scoffed at articles that I've come across that say the new generation of worker focuses more on being catered to, than previous workers. I thought, "We must have a bunch of self-centered jerks coming into the workplace and I don't want to work with them".
I'm starting to see the nuance between the two, though. I think maybe, just maybe, you can have a responsible adult that gets their work done with that attitude. I don't think it's too much for the American Worker to show up to work and say "I need to be motivated. I'll work harder and better if you give me that."
I'd like to be that worker. I'd like to hire that worker- provided they know what motivates them. If they're a product of our current schools and reply that money motivates them, I'd be skeptical, but if they said nearly anything else... yeah, I'd hire 'em.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
A While
Phew! It's been a while. One post, a year ago, and then nothing. I deleted that one, it's not relevant. Enough time has passed, that I can't even string a couple posts together to link that one to this one, so I'm starting fresh.
Ahhhh.
Fresh.
I"m struggling with Seasonal Affected Disorder. I'm not sure if that's how it's spelled... I don't wanna look it up. That would be too much like admitting that it's there. I fight it with denial, and chastisement. I flog myself mentally for not getting anything done until I'm angry enough that I do something. Then I play a video game.
I finally burned through my Christmas gift cards. I bought Sins of a Solar Empire and I bought Elder Scrolls IV, Oblivion. Both came highly recommended. I've played a little of the former, and while it's too early to pass judgement, here's mine: it's not so great. It's got great points, but it really lacks that Grab-You factor. Like a book or a movie that doesn't engage the reader/viewer, I'm just plain bored. I'm not having fun. I think I'm getting old.
I'm not sure what else to talk about. Let's pretend this is the beginning- I'm a recent student at a school that has only just opened its doors in September, Flashpoint Academy. I'm studying video game development, with an emphasis on design and writing. I'm loving it. I've been wandering around in my life, lost, for a long time now, and this feels very much like something I could do happily until I retire. I'd be dancing if I hadn't broken my foot a couple weeks ago.
Oh yeah, I broke my foot a couple of weeks ago- playing indoor soccer. Everyone wants to know how, but the best I could come up with is like so: I was running left, and kicking the ball right. There. Now you know how to crack your heel bone. I can put some weight on it these days, though. I'm hoping that means I only have another few weeks with these crutches until I can be mobile again. That'll be just in time for spring ,and I can ride my bike.
Riding my bike is a weird phenomenon. It's exhilarating, and yet I'm scared shitless of it. I'm scared because this is Chicago, and drivers here are only just beginning to realize that there are bike lanes. I dodge doors, cars, pedestrians, you name it. People don't pay attention. I had a buddy who was husband to a college friend of mine who once said that the Loop would be great if only there weren't so many people walking around (he's a automobile engineer, go figure). I shot back that the Loop would be ten times better if cars weren't allowed in to get in the people's way. I stick to that. Once a month cyclists congregate en masse for an event they call Critical Mass, where hundreds of 'em all ride north from the Loop together. I love it. I'd participate if only I weren't so time and schedule-ly challenged.
Give it a try sometime. Chicago's changing after all. Bike riding now is different from bike riding ten years ago. I can't stand Daley, but I've got to give him that much credit. Take a ride this Spring. Go slow. For some reason, cars look out for you better, the less you appear to know what you're doing. Enjoy a day outside.
Ahhhh.
Fresh.
I"m struggling with Seasonal Affected Disorder. I'm not sure if that's how it's spelled... I don't wanna look it up. That would be too much like admitting that it's there. I fight it with denial, and chastisement. I flog myself mentally for not getting anything done until I'm angry enough that I do something. Then I play a video game.
I finally burned through my Christmas gift cards. I bought Sins of a Solar Empire and I bought Elder Scrolls IV, Oblivion. Both came highly recommended. I've played a little of the former, and while it's too early to pass judgement, here's mine: it's not so great. It's got great points, but it really lacks that Grab-You factor. Like a book or a movie that doesn't engage the reader/viewer, I'm just plain bored. I'm not having fun. I think I'm getting old.
I'm not sure what else to talk about. Let's pretend this is the beginning- I'm a recent student at a school that has only just opened its doors in September, Flashpoint Academy. I'm studying video game development, with an emphasis on design and writing. I'm loving it. I've been wandering around in my life, lost, for a long time now, and this feels very much like something I could do happily until I retire. I'd be dancing if I hadn't broken my foot a couple weeks ago.
Oh yeah, I broke my foot a couple of weeks ago- playing indoor soccer. Everyone wants to know how, but the best I could come up with is like so: I was running left, and kicking the ball right. There. Now you know how to crack your heel bone. I can put some weight on it these days, though. I'm hoping that means I only have another few weeks with these crutches until I can be mobile again. That'll be just in time for spring ,and I can ride my bike.
Riding my bike is a weird phenomenon. It's exhilarating, and yet I'm scared shitless of it. I'm scared because this is Chicago, and drivers here are only just beginning to realize that there are bike lanes. I dodge doors, cars, pedestrians, you name it. People don't pay attention. I had a buddy who was husband to a college friend of mine who once said that the Loop would be great if only there weren't so many people walking around (he's a automobile engineer, go figure). I shot back that the Loop would be ten times better if cars weren't allowed in to get in the people's way. I stick to that. Once a month cyclists congregate en masse for an event they call Critical Mass, where hundreds of 'em all ride north from the Loop together. I love it. I'd participate if only I weren't so time and schedule-ly challenged.
Give it a try sometime. Chicago's changing after all. Bike riding now is different from bike riding ten years ago. I can't stand Daley, but I've got to give him that much credit. Take a ride this Spring. Go slow. For some reason, cars look out for you better, the less you appear to know what you're doing. Enjoy a day outside.
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