Comments for mile222

Comment on How I just got over a huge creative block. by Ben

Ben — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 08:26:27 +0000

You are a stubborn bad ass and it’s totally inspiring. Keep rocking the hell on.

Comment on How I just got over a huge creative block. by axcho

axcho — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 06:27:56 +0000

Thanks Greg’s mom! :D I never realized this before, but that makes sense, about frustration and learning new things.

Thanks for sharing your findings about getting past a creative block. I think it will come in handy as I begin to start on the graphic design and brand identity for my own website…

Comment on Hi, I’m Greg Wohlwend and I am a workaholic. by steve

steve — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 09:57:25 +0000

I somehow ended up here after reading some of your recipes thread on TDN and I just wanted to say that I really related to your post and enjoyed it.

Well done, sir.

Comment on Why do we do what we do? by Tim

Tim — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 23:31:25 +0000

My designs center more around a game mechanic vs a feeling I need to express. I have games I do need to get out of my head, but alot of them I have prototyped, and that releases alot of the obligation I feel to share with the world. Other times I am relieved when someone else comes up with the same(or close) idea. Then I feel like the idea has made it out into the world and I don’t need to worry about it.
Now I think I end up on the entertainer side of the equation. But I think a better metaphor is a toymaker. I make things that people play with and discover. The toy challenges them. My joy is watching them experience it. (Well, through feedback emails at least)

Comment on Why do we do what we do? by aeiowu

aeiowu — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 06:06:20 +0000

Hmmm… I’m not sure how to approach that Colin. I wasn’t writing this about game design or even game development, but about my own need to be creative.

I’m just investigating one part of my process and writing about it helps me do that. I think it’s important for me to have a conscious understanding of that otherwise it’s easy to lose my way. I’ve lost my way more than a handful of times and each time it’s mostly been because I lost track of why I do what I do.

I think sharing this with everyone is helpful as well. I hope that we can learn and lean on one another by exploring all parts of our process, this might be the sappiest and most narcissistic portion of that, but to me it’s important to address it. Truthfully, the point of this was to posit this question to developers who would read this. The goal being a slew of responses from creative folks as to their reasons for doing what they do.

To be honest, I’m not exactly sure where you’re coming from exactly so it’s hard to answer your question. Would you elaborate? Don’t pull any punches, I want to see your perspective.

Comment on Why do we do what we do? by Colin Northway

Colin Northway — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 17:32:26 +0000

Does any of this change your behaviour? I get discussing what is art and what is indie and what is selfish or not selfish. It’s like mental masterbation. You’re brain wants desperately to section off the world.

But does thinking about it change the way you make games? I don’t think any of these questions lead particularly interesting places.

There’s a lot of room for deep thought in game design but I don’t think this is where it is.

Comment on Why do we do what we do? by axcho

axcho — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 08:04:02 +0000

“These are all things that fester inside me and I desperately want to expel them. Not that they’re demons of any shape, but it’s this compulsion to create that drives me.”

This is what drives me, as well. This is why I created The Game Idea Giveaway Thread – because I had way more ideas than I would ever be able to make, and this was causing a lot of anxiety for me. And I’m happy to say, it’s helped quite a bit – now I can focus on the games that I *really* want to make, not any random idea that pops into my head.

But at the same time, I have that enjoyment of creation that you describe, and of the exploration, and the design and figuring stuff out.

And I haven’t given up on saving the world yet! :) That’s what it’s about for me in the long term – games for art, games for education, games for social change.

“It’s impossible to save something that doesn’t want to be saved even if it needs it.”

Yeah, but games are good at “wants” and motivation. You can help at that level and then work your way up. Don’t give up hope! A few years of anything is hardly enough to draw a conclusion, especially in a medium as young as games. You’re still learning! We’re all still learning.

Who knows where we’ll be in twenty years?

Comment on Why do we do what we do? by theresa svoboda

theresa svoboda — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 00:37:14 +0000

any real artist is selfish about their product. the ones who cater to the specifications and demands of others may be utilizing their talents, but they are most likely NOT just creating what comes to their minds freely and definitely not creating what flows from their hearts. that is not to say that ordered products of media and design are not artistic, but i believe that real art must be freely created by the artist, no constraints put upon it whatsoever.

Comment on Why do we do what we do? by Andy Moore

Andy Moore — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 00:36:37 +0000

I might as well have written this article. :)

It took several years and a lot of talking to others to realize it, but I am a very selfish (and lazy, but that’s another story) person. Thank goodness what makes me happy usually makes others happy too.

I love hitting that compile button, seeing no warnings, no errors, and then the music from my latest work starts sputtering out the speakers…

Comment on We’re looking for a student intern. by Nate Sherrets

Nate Sherrets — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 03:14:25 +0000

I’m not a student at Iowa State, nor am I in the Ames area, Cedar Rapids here. But hire me hire me! I’ll empty the trash on the weekends for an opportunity to get attached to an organization like the one you guys are putting together. Heck, I’d even empty the trash on the weekends for free, just for the exposure to you guys and the opportunity to be part of the group.