Concept Turret

I do find myself sometimes lost in the brainstorming processes.  I know, this is supposed to be the fun part right?!?  It is fun, but I get more satisfaction from working on something tangible.  I guess you could say that I am a bit jaded (never been one to disagree with that statement) and the brainstorming process is a place that I’d rather not be.

If you are brainstorming then it means that you have no clue what you are going to do next and that is just scary.  I have worked on so many start up projects with countless people and it never gets past the brainstorming phase.  Everyone has their own vision for what they want, everyone wants to make their own game, everyone knows what is best for the team.  It’s kind of fun to stand back and watch it all unfold like a popcorn flick, but after a few dozen of these it’s time to put that movie down.

In between my small but necessary brainstorming phases, I like to pause and try to work on 1 or 2 pieces of content that I am fairly certain I will need for the next project.  It helps me break up my many responsibilities between the modeling, texture mapping, painting, sound design, engine and game programming, special effects programming, and everything else.  Somehow I have to make time for all of them and I rarely have time for pipe dreams.. *cough* I mean, brainstorming.  I guess I am a little down on the concept of brainstorming because I’m only “really” good at programming, and just barely keeping my head above the wake on everything else.

I hate to not be good at something, but I just don’t have the time for all of it.  Still, every now and then I seem to find the inspiration to do something that I am remotely proud of; today it was a turret that I plan on using for my next project (if that ever comes together).

Yes, I have started a new project.  It’s been a while since I’ve had the fire in my gut; Seizonrenda’s complete failure on XBLIG was a crushing blow for me.  I am still debating exactly what platform to shoot for in this next game, or if I should even use XNA.  If I do go the XBLIG route again, I think I’ll have to keep my target audience in mind and accept that I may not be 100% happy with a $1-$3 game design, but I’ll do my best…

…wait did I just brainstorm? damn!