I have completely forgotten to update this blog in ages. Things have been good- we’re currently finishing up our third prototype and begin our new and final one for the semester next week. It’s been a good semester – just gotta keep up with the end of semester readings and assignments. I’ve enjoyed it, but I’m definitely looking forward to the break and opportunity to play all those games that’ve come out this past month!
This past week was spent focusing on the first sprint of Bomb Busters which you can see on its respective blog. I’d say that the project is coming along- my engineers are quick and able to program the art assets as they come in.
This week I’ll be presenting in Game Design on Warren Robinett’s Adventure and on game systems (states of being, not consoles) from Tracey Fullerton’s book. I’m looking forward to a chance at teaching my peers and having this project be done soon. 🙂
Last but not least, I’ll be going to Alaska this Thursday for fall break! I’m way pumped. I’ll be working on homework over the break, but from my favorite Alaska coffee shop, Kaladi Brothers!
Whoo, it’s been awhile since I last updated the blog. Whoops!
Currently, this MGS Cohort is working for the Mechanical Engineering Freshman class in developing a game that teaches physics concepts. The game that I’m working on is Bomb Buster which is a working title. Follow that link to the production blog.
I’m also happy to report that this time as scrum master, I am using a sticky note method for myself and my team to track our progress and translating the data into a google doc. So far it’s working and it feels far better and easier than on the last prototype.
What was before an unmanageable mess for myself has turned into something much more simple and easy for me and my team:
The data involving the burndown charts isn’t accurate but rather filler. The charts are to demonstrate how I’ll approach my burndown charts now. I’ll also post my high-tech sticky notes later in a gallery. 😉
Also in other news, I’ve ordered myself this book, Beginning C++ Through Game Programing, to start learning the basics of programming after so many designer interviews I read mention the importance of learning to program. It can only help me, right?
I’ve worked on Hazmat Harry’s prototype for a few hours today. I added the menu, as well as more player character animations and sound to the game. I made a youtube promo video, which is embedded at the end of the post.
Lots of reading got done this week, but still more for the rest of this weekend and some production charts! Ack. It never ends, but that’s alright.
This past week saw me completing many readings, as well as continuing work on the Hazmat Harry production with my team. We’ve got a large amount of the NPC and background assets done, and we are focusing on making sure the things are working so that we have a playable game for next week. It’s coming up so soon!
A big challenge for me in this process has been learning how to utilize excel efficiently in creating spreadsheets, sprint charts, and burndown charts. Luckily, the other producers in the program have been helpful in assisting me as they can.
More activity from Hazmat Harry!
Posted: August 31, 2011 in MGS, PrototypesTags: Hazmat Harry, Production
Have you checked out the Hazmat Harry production diary yet?
If not, make like a checker board and check it!
Salt Lake City, believe it or not, is probably one of the coolest places these days to be queer. It’s quite the community, and its reach has been felt around the nation. More on that on another day, though.
Recently, my friend Daniel Ogden and his business partner, Fernando, started a business venture called The Gay Hot Spot. I offered to start contributing as a writer for the site. Follow the link below
Essentially, gaming made me gay. 🙂
Let me know whatcha think!
After working Sundance 2011’s opening weekend for a documentary film-producer, I feel like this has probably been one of the most busy weeks of the year!
School started this previous Monday, and honestly, it was such a whirlwind of activity that I can’t recall all of the emotions wrapped up into it. However, here are some of the highlights.
- Production began on my team’s first game, Hazmat Harry. As of now, this side-scrolling action game will allow players to assume the role of Harry and clean his city of its most dangerous pollutants.
- This progam has a LOT of reading, and since I’m in grad school, I figure it’s probably important to keep up with the readings and maintain a strong reading journal for future reference.
- My elective this semester is Sound for Film and Digital Media. It should be a busy, but fun class, and I’m hoping to learn invaluable skills to help my current team and future production teams.
On top of producing my own blog, I’ll also be in charge of maintaining a blog for Hazmat Harry, which I’ll link to once it’s up.
I think the main challenges of this program is not allowing myself to feel overwhelmed and clam up as a result. Keeping the end goal in mind will be important, and I’ll also be using this blog to post both successes and failures and have a great portfolio for the future.
Oh, and onn a side note, as a treat to myself and a study tool for the future, I got myself an iPad 2 this weekend. It’s pretty damn awesome. Also, comic books look pretty beautiful on it. Just sayin’.
Hello, and welcome to my blog.
My name is Josh Lee, and I originally hail from Anchorage, AK. I was born and raised there after my parents moved back to Alaska from Mexico, where they had raised my two older siblings.
Currently, I am pursuing an MFA in The University of Utah’s Electronic Arts and Engineering’s Master Games Studio. I’m currently on the design and production track. I’ll be learning the ins and outs of what it takes to make a game over three semesters, and serving an internship during all that.
My most influential background is in the performing arts, via dance. Back in Alaska, I performed in multiple companies, dancing everything from African dance to classical ballet. I moved to Utah in the fall of 2009 after visiting Utah twice for the American College Dance Festival. As fate would have it, I ended up not pursuing a BFA in Modern Dance at Utah Valley University, but rather a BA in Film and Media Studies from The University of Utah. During this time, I worked as a business and political intern at Equality Utah and as the personal assistant to a documentary film-producer at The Salt Lake City Film Center. I graduated with my BA in summer 2011, and began my next adventure in fall 2011 here at the MGS.
I enjoy movies, music, and games that inspire me. I’d like to be involved in projects that are subversively relevant. I want to help produce thoughtful non-games, and make games that’ll help change the world. This blog will account for my steps towards that goal over the next three semesters.
Josh Lee 