Welcome to Coffee Talk! Let’s start off the day by discussing whatever is on your (nerd chic) mind. Every morning I’ll kick off a discussion and I’m counting on you to participate in it. If you’re not feelin’ my topic, feel free to start a chat with your fellow readers and see where it takes you. Whether you’re talking about videogames, Intelligentsia’s Kenya Gichathaini, a special visit from BB, or the NY Knicks’ overrated win over the Miami Heat, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.
I’m off to San Francisco in a few hours for Game Developers Conference 2011. In addition to mingling with some amazing talent and old friends, I’ll be hitting up some preview events and meeting with a really cool company I can’t wait to tell you more about. Before I left for GDC 2010, I asked if you understood game development. This year I’d like to hear if you care about understanding game development.
A lot of game journalists (and verbal entertainers) would love for gamers to have a rudimentary understanding of what goes into creating a game. For my part, I want to highlight the incredible people that work so hard at making incredible games. I also think that understanding a bit about the development process helps you appreciate this excellent form of entertainment on a different level. It also helps you understand why some games don’t live up to their potential.
Having said that, I totally understand if you don’t care to learn more about the process. Most people that enjoy music have no idea how many people it takes to record an album. Most moviegoers have no idea what the director of photography does or why the technical lighting director is so important. You don’t need a behind-the-scenes understanding of something to have fun with it. These are, after all, forms of entertainment. Sometimes you just want to sit back and enjoy the ride.
So fire away (please)! Let me know if you’re interested in learning more about how games are made or not.
Not really. It won't change my mind about how I feel about finished products. For example, I understand bioware puts a lot of effort into their titles but I can't stand playing them. Their method of character dev feels cheap to me. Solid coding and production I can tell.
i'd like to know if the process is the same as pitching a movie or tv series to studios. I'm pretty sure it might be but who knows i may be surprised.
It can be, but it can also be the opposite. If a publisher owns a property or license then they sometimes approach the developers.
i see. well what is the process when it's an original concept.
It depends if the publisher or developer owns the concept.
ah, it's like pulling teeth with you.
Say i came up with a story that i thought would be a good game. Where would i start?
My responses have been short because I'm on my phone, heading to the airport.
Unless you're a famous author, a story isn't enough to get a meeting with a publisher. At the very least you need a design document and concept art. Ideally you could show renders of characters and levels. Since it's an interactive and visual medium, a story alone won't get you far.
thank you very much. I feel learneded about game development.
Well, you learned a tiny bit about pitching anyway.
Proof once more that no matter what one side will be the adverse of the other. Right or wrong.
http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/news/2011/02/r…
The rules wouldn't be an issue if the damn ISPs were made to compete instead of not wanting to expand into existing markets.
I'm always interested in game developement.
@Ray
Can you ask the Bioware Drs if they plan or have planed to incorporate controller support on their PC games? If no, they for what reasons?
I want to play DA2 on my PC for graphic reasons, but the console controls are superior to mouse and keyboard IMO. Also, thanks to Microsoft I can't get the 360 version as it won't keep my decisions from Origins or carry DA2's over to future games.
xpadder might help ya. Try the demo with it and see.
It can not change it. The interface between the two versions is too drastic to the point that you have to play the games in two different manners. PC being a "pause your game every five seconds and issue commands" version.
ah I see. hmm, shame on them for not having that option. i like using a controller in some instances as well. Arkham Asylum was more enjoyable on my xbox than the PC. Just felt better.
Having taken a couple computer science classes is what gave me a good understanding of what it requires to actually make a game. It's a way that your mind has to work that I (no offense) don't think many people here would even understand. My brain definitely doesn't work that way at all—which is why I only took a couple CS classes. That was almost more than I could understand. I know I've talked to Big Blak about this kind of stuff before on XBL, but the amount of knowledge it takes to write all of that code and get it all to work properly, even in a really bad game, is incredible. We're talking about thousands if not millions of lines of code calling variables, triggers, and programs all working together to let us be able to move around an open environment in a game. So as much as I wish that some games wouldn't still have the invisible walls keeping me from exploring an area, I realize there is tons of work that goes into what I am playing.
After all of that it seems like mostly standard business deals and contracts for getting publishers to distribute and mass produce the game, etc.
Nah, I only care about the finished product.
Safe and sound in San Francisco. I think I have a sinus infection. GDC will take its toll. Wish N8R was here to shoot me. The videos will probably be a little dry for my liking.
You know, I had such a great Sunday with Zoe that I almost didn't get on the plane. Part of me wanted to stay home, recover, write, and play Tactics Ogre. Hopefully I'll do some great networking here and find some much needed money.
… You don't need N8 to shoot you. All you have to do is go back to LA and walk the streets of Compton for a few hours with a yellow bandana on your head.
-M
Good luck with the networking, hope you feel better too!!
I don't think anyone can truly understand what it is like to actualy develop a game unless they have done it for themselves. Like Bsukenyan said, I can appriciate all the hard work and effort that goes into making a game since I also took a few computer programming courses way back in high school.
I'm not so interested in knowing how a game comes together (since I pretty much have a good understanding of that) as much as I am interested in the dynamics of a development team. I would love to see a reality show that takes place in the offices of a mid-to-large video game developer's company. Think of the show "The Office" meets the video game industry.
Damn, I should pitch that show to Fox or something. I'll go write the pilot episode and everyone here can be a character on the show…. Although I think we're going to need some more girls… preferably in bikinis.
-M
I would actually watch that show!! I would probably even watch that on regularly scheduled program, which I only do for one show right now. Let me know how the sales pitch goes, or if you need any help researching target demographics, time slots, etc. haha.
@ Rpad
I have a legit coffee talk question. Your the only person I know that loves coffee more than my lady and her bday is coming up, can you recommend any good coffee makers whether it be drip, pot, or what ever else can make coffee lol?
A french press is undoubtedly the best way to make coffee. If she doesn't have a grinder, get her one of those too.
Fact: Coffee starts to lose flavor around 30 min. after being ground.
Another fact: Conventional drip pots will scorch the coffee no matter what.
I'll post an awesome list of coffee facts I found a while ago in a minute.
I couldn't find the awesome list I noted earlier… but I did find this:
http://www.coffeeinspector.com/coffee-facts.html
Yea she has a grinder but a french press she does not.
And thank you I'm also going to see what Rpad has to say as well before I make a decision/purchase.
Also she only uses whole beans does that make a difference?
You should only use whole beans. The beans I buy are roasted within a day or two of purchase. That's the problem with buying beans at the grocery or Amazon — you don't know how old they are. Generally, whole beans taste best within a month of roasting. I usually buy a new bag every ten days or so.
Wow. Totally stayed out later than I intended too. Gatorade before bed was a brilliant idea. Really nice catching up with Cliffy B over quiet drinks before mixing it up with the crowd.
Have to register and hit a Google panel. Will write and answer Big Blak's question after that.
Cool beans man.
There is aslo a PAX app on the android market place, pretty sweet!
With all the time you spend with Cliffy B, I'm surprised that he hasn't hooked you up with a job at Epic.
Then again, Epic games were never big on story, so I can kind of understand why they wouldn't have a need for a writer. Epic Games is the "Michael Bay" of the gaming industry.
-M
Also, I'd have to live in North Carolina. Great bbq, but a little slow for what I like.
North Carolina wouldn't be too bad. I would live there if I had a decent job. Of course the downside is I would be obligated to see my family that lives in that state as well. Ok that would be a major downside. lol. It would be worth it though to have a nice job (especially at Epic).
It would feel too slow for me. Hell, it took me a long time to get used to how "slow" San Francisco felt compared to New York. The funny part is, I can't go back to NY speed anymore. It's too fast for me now.
Man…don't I feel like a bumpkin for only living in NOLA and the surrounding metro area lol.
youd be right beneath me here in va!
Charlotte is actually a very nice city…i dont know where epic is, but if you had to move to rural NC, im sure youd eventually get accustomed to the slow paced lifestyle and folksy racism
Google gave me a Nexus S for attending a really good panel.
BB, I recommend Chemex. I'll post links soon.
No rush, your a busy man and her bday is in a week lol.
The attendees are loving Google. They're giving out phones, tablets, and netbooks. Only a phone for me.
sounds pretty cool, have fun out there!!
Standing next to Curt Schilling at an EA presentation. Wish I had my Yankee hat.
Just saw the yahoo article about the new season of dancing with the stars. I can't believe that Jericho is going to be on it.
He seems smart about using his WWE fame to promote his band and get on TV. It's a good fit for him.
yeah i just don't want him to get booted just because America doesn't know him or want a wrestler to be in it. It reminds me of last season where this kid from a disney show outlasted the Hoff, really??? that Disney kid star is going to outlast the Hoff? they lost me right there
BF3 looks amazing. Def need to xfire for this game.
http://arstechnica.com/#!/gaming/news/2011/03/bat…
Ready for theNintendo keynote. Lots of mainstream press outside…for the ipad event. It's war!!!
Battlefield looked crazy beautiful.
Excellent dinner with my pal Chris Cross, who is now with THQ partners.
Caught up with a ton of people at three parties last night. Voice, legs, and throat are shot.
@Smartguy
About to build a new PC. Let me know what you think. it all comes to just under$1000.
ASRock 890FX Deluxe 4 AM3 mobo with 8 SATA and 4 USB 3.0 (those are the only differentiating factors)
AMD Phenom II X6 1100T (Thuban 3.3GHz w/ 3.7Turbo)
16Gb of G.Skill Ripjaw DDR3 1600 (overkill but great price for 4 -4Gb Dimms)
2 – 1Tb WD hdds. (already have 2- 1 Tb i will use too)
The rest will be scrapped from my current PC.
Thinking about a new case though, my Antec P180b is pretty bulky.
@Slicky
Not a bad build. If that is just for gaming then it will be pretty good. What video cards are you going to run? I currently run an Asus 6850 and will get another one to xfire soon. Best bang for the buck and it's a DX11 card. I can run BC2 on max everything w/o any lag.
My build cost me right under 1k and I went with a Lynnfield i5 that I have OC to 3.8ghz. Gives better performance when compared to the AMD chips on games that will utilize multiple cores…like an RTS. Otherwise I would have went with AMD.
If you get a new case I'd recommend the Coolermaster 690 II. That case is amazing for space and cable mgmt.
Actually I don't play games that much anymore.
I want the multiple cores for ripping. I currently have an AMD X2 6400+. I could save a TON of money and just drop an AM3 processor in my mobo because I future-proofed and bought an AM2+ board. The 'drawback' is having only DDR2 ram.
I have an older 4870 that cost me $75. I used to buy the biggest and best cards at $600 per but they were always too big and loud and I felt like they didn't last as long as they should.
I need the 8 SATAs for my 4 burners and 4 hard drives. That way I can have 4 burns going @18x at once each from their own drive. My current board only has 4 SATA and 1-IDE. I HATE IT
@slicky
Hmm, if you want to use your current components mixed in with the new I think you are good to go. Look up that case though.
I rip a lot of stuff on my i7 and the whole process is amazingly quick. Intel put out a good product with those chips. Prob more to go that build than you want to go, but you won't have buyer's remorse. Pretty sure you could do mobo, ram, and chip for $500
Then again it would negate past investment. I think you are good either way though.
I don't think understanding how to make a game is important in enjoying a game. I think this desire on the part of some journalists is a form of geek snobbery. We all do it. The "I know more about this geeky thing than you do" attitude. It's how we create our own little geekdom social structure so that we have people to treat like outcasts for a change. ;-)
There's a type of enjoyment that comes from appreciation. I enjoy guitarists more since I played a little guitar. Certainly I don't understand Jimi Hendrix's processes, but I appreciate the complexity more and his music is more fun for me because I have a very basic understanding.
I agree Ray. I just think that you can enjoy something without knowledge of the process.
Haha ^
I like that