| There's no doubt, that computer games are here to | | | | It's a beautiful world to live in, if you've got the itch to |
| stay. They have to be one of the most prevalent | | | | build games. Not only are the tools available, but the |
| forms of software around. You can find them on PC's, | | | | information on how to use them is freely given and |
| Macs, cellphones, pdas, and BlackBerrys. They even | | | | discussed in forums all over the internet. A google of |
| have their own genre of hardware. Specifically for | | | | the term "game developer forums", shows 194 million |
| gaming. There are living room styled consoles like | | | | results. WOW! I'm sure they're not all totally relevant, |
| Xbox, Wii's, and PS3s. As well as a horde of portable | | | | but as I puruse the top few entries, I see a few places |
| gaming platforms, like the PSP, GameBoy, and DS. I | | | | where I've spent lots of time. Including, but not limited to |
| can't think of any other software that warrants it's | | | | GameDev, and IndieGamer forums. The latter being an |
| own hardware platform. We sure do like to play don't | | | | offshoot of the independent gamers forum started by |
| we? | | | | Steve Pavlina on his old Dexterity website, back when |
| It's a basic human need - for some even an obsession. | | | | he was a legend in the world of independent gamers. |
| Play time is a stress reliever, a much needed | | | | While the tools mentioned above work great for |
| distraction, and arguably a self esteem builder for the | | | | building and designing games, there is plenty of |
| winners. But another basic need that computer games | | | | opportunity for other skilled artists to create for the |
| can feed, is that of creation. Everyone loves to create. | | | | gaming world. Digital artists are every bit if not more a |
| Whether it's a five year olds finger painting hanging on | | | | part of game creations than programmers and |
| the fridge, or Stephen Kings next great horror epic. | | | | designers. It's the visual styling of a game that often |
| Anyone with an emotion to express, story to tell, or | | | | sets it apart from the competition, and garners kudos |
| movie to capture can do their thing. | | | | from critics and fans alike. Musicians and sound |
| I must confess to be a wanna-be game developer | | | | effects artisans can have fun helping to build games |
| from way back. I first tinkered around with building | | | | these days. While music and sound effects can often |
| games on a Commodore 64. And if I really want to | | | | be rather forgettable in games, (especially some of the |
| date myself, I'll confess to writing a very basic random | | | | derivative casual games clones), the really good ones |
| number generator type game in Basic on a Radio | | | | auditory aficionados can really add a whole dimension |
| Shack TRS-80 computer. Fortunately for the inspired | | | | to the gaming experience. Games like System Shock |
| gamers of today, the technology supporting game | | | | 2 (Irrational Studios), and the more recent Bioshock |
| building has improved by several light years since then. | | | | (2KGames) come to mind as benefited from some |
| From the simple to use yet powerful GameMaker | | | | incredibly talented sounds and music. |
| from YoYo Games to the Unreal Editor (UnrealEd) | | | | So, don't put it off any longer. If you've got the game |
| that ships with the purchase of most games powered | | | | builder itch, it's time to scratch. You could be the next |
| by the Unreal engine. This enables anyone who owns | | | | Leonardo Da Vinci of the game business. The world is |
| the game to create their very own version of the | | | | waiting. |
| game using the same tools as the professionals. | | | | |