What I Learned - 2

What I Learned - 7/21/13 to 7/27/13

1. You are likely going to be doing things other than making professional games for awhile after college
1. DeeJ; Breaking In - Scott Bilas
2. 'Real' isn't fun.  Being 'unreal' in a 'real' situation can be.
1. David Wessman; Chatting over how to implement features in an unannounced game
3. Some 8 out of 10 jobs are filled by those who were referred to the work.
1. Random fact I passed-by away from my computer
4. When calculating unit costs in a game (specifically RTS), the base tech cost is a flat number that is spread over ever unit that requires that tech to be produced.  The more units, the cheaper the base tech cost.  Units are not produced at their sticker price.
1. Meditating on how to balance any custom unit made for Starcraft II
5. The time in RTS games that will not see a specific unit can be determined by the sum of time the resources needed to make it are gathered, the time for the required tech to be gained, and the time that the unit itself requires to be built.  That is the point where, no matter what, that unit will not be seen on the map.
1. Realization when writing the previous note
6. When an edge has only 1 of its sides showing, it should be darkened.
1. idcreatures; Youtube; Learn to draw using two point perspective - Part 1
7. Games are all about the features and a better game design doc should reflect this.  A "Core Features list" should list the major game components, explain why they were chosen, what is interesting about them, and how they work together.  Each item must show how it is to be used, how the game emphasizes it, the iteration of the feature, and why they are varied enough to succeed.
1. 1-25-03 entry; CBLOOM.COM real time 3d : game design rants
8. Those consuming entertainment will cry-out if characters that they invested in for dozens of hours are slaughtered.  Major fan backlash may ensue.
1. Game of Thrones Season 3
9. I read the EA Spouse letter.  I suggest you do the same.
1. EA Spouse

Another week, another few lessons learned.  If someone else won't use these notes, I'm at least sure to reference them.  Comment if you've learned something!