2010 Goals

Last year I set myself the following tasks:

• Make a list of target companies that I want to aim for first.


• Tailor my covering letter for a specific role/company


• Polish my CV and strip out any unnecessary content


• Develop a great portfolio - 3D level, Design documents, Small, 2D playable game demos, Only your best work

Sadly, I never good round to completing a 3D level, due to the amount of projects I got involved with, holidays and changing jobs. Luckily I have secured a contract role as a tester at one of the companies I'd want to work at as a designer so I'm learning first hand how a game is created. Unfortunately, this has also had a negative affect as I have been woken up to the realisation that I don't have enough great standard work to show as of yet to even be considered for a junior design role here. Fortunately, I have now made a lot of friends that are also eager to extend their skills and combine our work to produce a good project.

So as I have gotten myself into a good position for gaining a junior design role, I have seen how far away I still am, so that will require a lot more work and dedication this coming year.





This year I thought I would try to make a shorter list of specific goals:

• Play more games


• Make a small game using Unity


• Make a small game level using Unreal Ed


• Create a great standard project, even if it's just the one.

So these are my targets. First I will try and develop short documentation for the both of them so that next year I can begin learning the tools and development of the projects.

GameCareerGuide Challenge: Restaurant Success

I've been taking part in these weekly design challenges hosted by GameCareerGuide as an when I can over the past five months now.  Much to my dismay when none of my entries have been selected, but nevertheless I think these challenges are an exceptional way to keep me thinking about creating new innovating games so I continue to take part.

Last week the Game Design Challenge: Restaurant Game was set.  My first idea, like many that probably were selected, was to do with management of entire restaurants so after detailing my concept I submitted it.  But I continued to think how I could develop a game that would benefit a potential restaurant owner that would teach them the skills to run a successful business and I came up with a series of mini-games for potential restaurant owners - Restaurant Success (I know, I have to come up with catchier names).  Happy with my idea I submitted it and unfortunately it, like many other ideas didn't make it into the top 3.  However, this second idea did make it into the list of honorable mentions and that is surely a sign of progress to me.  So here's my idea, Restaurant Success.