Academic Background:
I am currently a senior working on a B.A. in Computer Science with a concentration in Media Studies. However I started off at UB in the Architecture program. About a year and a half in I decided to switch majors due to a variety of reasons. I really enjoy programming and seeing how code that I write develops actual running programs, games and software. I also really enjoy the artistic side of that. I have been involved in art classes since middle school and absolutely love having my creative side go wild. Some people might say things I draw and make are strange, creepy, or just plain “screwed up,” but it is what I like to do and I’ll never stop. By taking DMS classes I am able to prepare myself for what I really would like to do and that is Video Game Design. Most people would see someone with a programming background like me going into the physical production of the game but I would much rather be active in the creative production and artistic aspects. For technicalities sake, this is what I’ve worked with:
Adobe CS3 –
Photoshop
Flash
Fireworks
Dreamweaver
Illustrator
InDesign
Code –
Java
Python
C++
Autodesk –
AutoCAD 2004 and up
3DS Max 8.0 and up
VIZ 2007
Music –
Fruity Loops Pro
ACID Pro 5.0
SONAR 7
KORG Legacy Collection
I think that my range in software usage and experience in different fields of design will be beneficial to me when I try to reach my goals in the Video Game Industry. Hopefully this class will assist me in broadening my knowledge and understanding of virtual worlds and environments.
Gaming Experience:
I can remember the first game I ever played was Super Mario Bro’s for NES. I absolutely loved that game to death. I used to play it with my brother and had to deal with all of the NES issues like wiggling the cartridge or having that magic touch to get it to play. Most importantly you can’t forget the forceful blow needed every once and awhile. After that I moved onto bigger and better games like Super Mario Bro’s 2 and 3 along with Metroid and Marble Madness. Well I am sure you can get the hint; I have been playing Video Games as long as I can remember on systems like NES, N64, GameCube, SEGA Nomad (For those who know what this is you should feel blessed!), PS2, and most recently Wii. This being said I cannot forget my most favorite game playing companion, the computer. This one goes back to DOS games like Memory and Wheel of Fortune. I can remember playing games like Commander Keen, and the famous 500+ mega packs with games like Crystal Caverns.
Lately I play mostly Wii and PC games that range from violent to just plain fun. They include:
Wii -
Guitar Hero III
Super Mario Galaxy
Prince of Persia: Rival Swords
Mario Kart Wii
Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
Metroid Prime
PC –
Counter Strike: Source
Day of Defeat: Source
Team Fortress 2
Neverwinter Nights 2
Rainbow Six: Vegas 1 & 2
World of Warcraft (Private Servers)
Stranglehold
Portal
Lost Planet
Track Mania -
Nations
Nations Forever
United
Sunrise
I really enjoy playing online games as of late because even if my friends aren’t around to play something, I can find millions of other people to play with from around the world. I am not huge into MMO’s but I will occasionally give in if some of my online friends will play with me. This is especially true when it comes to playing WoW. There are constantly battles over this game whether or not it sucks or if people love it. I can agree it is very addicting and it makes you feel as if you need serious help. Although this is the kind of game that so much effort has been put into it, it is just motivating to get you to play more.
I think out of all of the games, Counter Strike: Source is my favorite right now. I used to play CS 1.6 and loved it then and now with the updated graphics it makes it that much more fun. I like to play it because you can play one on one games or be active in teamwork to take down the opposition. I have been on several clans, groups, and teams in my history of playing the game and was very close to being part of the CEVO and CAL tournaments. I play for fun mostly now but if there is a tournament and I am able to be a part I will most definitely participate and try to own as many noobs as possible.
How much of your life is integrated into various online communities/tools/etc.:
I spend a lot of my time on my computer. Most of this time is spent online doing many different things. I am usually on newegg.com a lot looking at new products and comparing them. A lot of time is spent on AIM, Windows Live Messenger, Myspace or facebook keeping up with friends and finding out what they are up to. I have also used IMVU in the past to do the same but I ended up not liking it all that much due to the plethora of creeps and weird people I found on there. Other than that I have met hundreds of people around my age or not so much through playing games. A majority of them were through my playing of Counter Strike: Source and World of Warcraft. Ironically enough many of the people whom I’ve met through one I have played with in the other.
I would honestly have to say that more of my life is spent online in games and social settings that actually in the real life. It is interesting to think about though because many of the people I meet online and talk to are also people I know in the real life. This creates an interesting feeling because often times when you are online talking to people or interacting with them; your persona is slightly if not drastically skewed from how people perceive you in the real world. This is especially interesting when talking to people who you spend time with in the real world as well, because they almost get to see a whole different side of you and I can attest to this conundrum.
How your virtual existence affects your “real-life”:
I would have to say that my virtual existence does not affect my real life all that much. Many of my friends are also into the same things I am which include Video Games. This means that even though we are not in direct contact with one another, we are still interacting over virtual means. I have the same amount of fun both in my virtual world as my real one. When I am interacting with people in my virtual world I tend not to try and be someone I am not because you never know if you will meet these people in real life or not.
My real life and virtual life are one in the same at this point because I have no alternate being. Other than game names, I am the same person online and off. In addition, to keep consistency, I usually choose the same nick for most of the games I play. Overall, I am glad that I can tell the difference between my virtual life and real life but I enjoy getting lost in reality every once and awhile to have a little fun!
