Year in review, 2012.

"Working as a game designer is like the mouse on your computer; some days it clicks and some days it drags." - Alan Emrich


Such a true quote.


I've been dragging a bit in the past weeks and it has been driving me crazy. So maybe I can jot some brain vomit down and see if it helps relieve some pressure.

I want to create a game that combines Dark Souls challenge and reward with Metroidvania style 2D exploration. The thing that keeps both of those game styles interesting is the vast amount of mystery and depth to gameplay in Dark Souls and exploration and freedom like Super Metroid and Castlevania (Symphony of the Night specifically).

The Souls' series is by far the crowning jewel of mainstream gaming this generation. The fact that risk and reward can not only drive you to play harder and more carefully, but the devastation of failure is so great that you cannot except it. That is what the new generation of gaming is missing. That is what I want to help cultivate. Indie developer champion Edmund McMillen of Team Meat has already been doing the gaming world a favor with Super Meat Boy and Binding of Isaac. Their challenge and focused gameplay are second to none.


I feel that I, and my cohorts in Clam Stab Studios, can achieve the risk/reward exploration focused gameplay. It will be a tough road considering we are going to be learning UnityScript while developing, but it will be an achievement.


Also, thinking of my game of the year 2012... It's very hard to choose one. The only game that has blown me away this year was Journey. It's an experience for sure, one that everyone should have the pleasure of playing. I haven't been through all of the Walking Dead episodes, but there really aren't many mainstream, big heavy hitters that did great this year, in my opinion.


Here's to looking forward into 2013 with The Last of Us, Ni No Kuni and Grand Theft Auto 5!

Jericho sprite sheet

So far, the sprite sheet for the main character, Jericho.

Ouroboros pitch bible

Welcome.

Welcome! This is a blog that will be full of my work, my thoughts, and my progress as a game designer. As you can see, it is pretty quiet right now.

THAT'S OKAY.

Just because I don't have stuff on here doesn't mean I'm not working on..... "things."

Give it time.

You have to start somewhere.