My last two posts focused on general game development topics, but no longer. It's the end of the year, time to look back and review before looking forward to the new year!

Digital Art

First off, some fun diversions. In my pursuit of an art minor at Ohio State, I took a digital art class autumn quarter. The instructor let me use software I was already familiar with, so I didn't learn much. But the class gave me the motivation to plonck my butt down and make some art, which is all I really wanted.

Tools are everything

You've probably heard the whole "don't make engines, make games" shtick. As I progress I am learning another important lesson: tools are the most important aspect of any project, game or engine. Whether you're rolling a custom engine or shopping around for middleware, tools should be absolutely top priority. Seriously.

The question should not be "how many shiny graphics techniques can I incorporate?". It should be "how easy is it to create content for this game?". Content is the center of every game, whether that content is an AI algorithm, a map layout, or an art asset. If the content pipeline is even a little inefficient, it will prevent you from making the game you want to, whether you realize it or not. If you have to jump through hoops to create a new level or script a story sequence, you're going to put it off and focus instead on adding another feature that provides tangible results, like a new lighting technique. Problem is, those features don't make the game. Content does.

Physics and lighting fun

Sorry to post two videos in quick succession, but this was too fun not to record!