The Console Journey

My alarm said 8:30 but my body said 7:30. I woke up and went to the bathroom to shave and prep for my day. After that, I got dressed and made breakfast, eggs and bacon for a first day was a start for success. I was thinking of taking my longboard for a ride, but I decided gainst it because I didn't know how the roads were here; I walked so I could check it out. On my walk I listened to Rise Against to pump me up for me first day. It took me literally 10 minutes to get there which surprised me.

There, I spoke to security (small talk) and sat down till my recruiter came in. We spoke about how excited we were she (Michelle) brought me bagels for the team and I. I thanked her and she left. I waited and met a few other new hires and spoke to them. We were all super excited and couldn't wait for our day to get started. While talking to one new hire (Johann) a team member from my Global Game Jam 2014 team walked in (Rob) and we were blown away! We started talking about how cool that is and how we have to meet up and hang out some time. Mid convo, security pulled me aside to take pictures for our badges. I told Rob I'd catch him later and went to get my picture taken. The security guard was really cool and excited with us. After our pics wre taken we sat down to wait for our leads. While waiting ANOTHER member from my GGJ 2014 team walked in (Karen), I couldn't believe it. We waved to each other and she came over and we spoke for a bit and talked about how Rob, her and I should all get lunch at some point, I was all for it. We parted ways and thats when my lead came down (Jason). We talked about getting our temp badges and getting started. We got in the building finally and started our Sprint meeting. Talked about who we are, what we had to do, and get started. I gave the guys a good chuckle because apparently we had assignments last week from the meeting to plan out the next 2 weeks. We obviously didn't go cause we didn't work yet so when it was my turn to intro myself I said my name and that I was already behind on work.

The day was mostly set up, which was super tedious, but things never got dull. I got a tour of the floor and might I say a lot of it was ridiculously cool. Phil (UI Dev) showed us the cafe/bar on the floor that can make coffee, tea, and happiness

and the breakfast cereal bar.

Sodas in the vending machine were 25 cents. And there was a Mortal Kombat Cabinet

The office on the 5th floor (I work on the 6th) as a ballpit. My Desk is AWESOME and I have MY OWN WHITEBOARD! Also the lighting is always that way, ceiling lights don't come on lol true programmers/gamers!

It's the small things. I set up and thought about everything I'd have to bring to spruce up the place. I share a square (an area of 4 open cubicles facing each other) with guys who love Star Wars, Comics/X-Men, and Nerf Guns! I was wondering what theme mine should be. I logged into my comp while we all chowed down on the bagels, and started setting things up. So many issues got in the way, like not having access to anything because my account didnt get the privileges it should have. Phil brought me down to IT and we met the IT guys and they were awesome, had 2 xbones facing eachother and were nonchalantly fixing my privilege issues. Before lunch we went to the mail room to get supplies for our desks and I found out they have a game library that you can take games out of like a library and these games are extensive, not just EA games, for "research". What. Whoa. If you lose it you have to replace it is all. Set up took me to lunch and after.

They had fish lights!

At lunch I had flatbread (I promise the bread was not flat) of 1/2 pesto beef, and 1/2 bbq pulled pork and fries. I wish I took pics but it was so good I couldnt stop. I went back to my desk and continued set up. Once I finished, probably about 5:30pm, Phil showed me how to access the game in the works. From there I was looking through the code and messing around with it to work on what was assigned to me last week.

7:00 rolled around and I was heading out, that's when I snagged all the pics

and met a few other people around, they were cool. My picture badge wont be ready for a while and I'll be getting more pics but this was an exciting first day, I'm beat from all the set-up. I can't wait to go back tomorrow and continue forward!

I'm a little late on posting about Flappy Jam, but I finished the game and even posted it on Game Jolt! I've added everything I wanted to in the game including:

-Highscores

-Menu,Credits, and Restart Screen

-several levels or increasing difficulty including moving pipes

-Sounds, and Music

I'm overall really happy with the turn out of the game and want to do more clean up code-wise and art-wise, but that is for a later date. If you want to check it out Balloon Fight is hosted on Game Jolt, and if you'd like, rate it, leave a comment, and share the game for others to see! I'm already looking forward to my next project.

I've been working on this game, diligently, since I started yesterday. I've added so much to it so quickly that I never got the chance to make an update. Here's the site:  Flappy Bird: Balloon Fight

The game is ever-growing!

I've finished:

- the bird movement and player input mechanisms

- text to display instructions and score

- art assets have been put in for the most part

- High score updates from a database to display

I'm having issues adding scores to the database for some reason, but once I find out what the issue is that'll be an accomplishment too. I'll have to add music, sound effects, and finalize the art. 

I've been having so much fun with this jam, and am so excited to see how quickly I've been able to get to this point in the game's development. More updates coming; back to working on this!

So I've been convince! I will participate in the FLAPPY JAM. The point of the jam is to make a game that is almost impossible to play, but fun and simple. It's to fight against hate brought to the creator of flappy bird when the game was up, and more so when it was taken down from mobile stores. 

I have a fun idea for what I plan on doing for this game, let's see what comes out of it! I'll keep my progress here. It's gunna be hard to play and frustrating, just like the original. 

Tools I'm using:

- Unity2D

- C#

- Photoshop

I’ve always loved the Super Smash Bros. series because it was a game I could always enjoy with any of my friends, be it friends from home or friends from college. I also always had that friend who after we removed everyone else from the map, we would have a final showdown that sometimes lasted 30 minutes. SSB has always been the equivalent of a Mario Party, but on the opposite spectrum of deeming where friendships ended. Being the fan of SSB that I am, the new SSB that’s coming out for the Wii U and 3DS has become the game I look forward to more and more after all the new characters are mentioned.

With all the characters that are currently known to be in the new Super Smash Bros for Wii U and 3DS, I’ve decided to make a list of 5 characters I would like to see added to the roster and why!

First on the list would have to be:

Courtesy of Wikipedia

Amaterasu!

Here’s why:

It would be so cool to play as a Quadruped! I know you had that with Bulbasaur, but he was just one of 3 Pokemon that the Pokemon trainer had access to. To add on to why, Amaterasu would have some sweet moves, from a projectile disc that could act like Link’s boomerang only stronger and more wild, and Wii-mote movement brush strokes would be a cool addition as a final smash. If given a chance I’m sure Amaterasu would be a great addition to SSB.

  Second up would have to be:

Courtesy of theGBoat.com

The Prince from Katamari!

Here’s why:

Although it’s unlikely to happen, because Sony will probably want to add him to the Playstation All Star roster, it would be a very fun character to play as. Rolling your katamari around as a move to deal damage would be the equally hilarious equivalent to Jigglypuff’s rolling move, and it could be equally as dangerous; Player opponent gets stuck to the katamari as it rolls off the stage, or slam into a wall. A final smash would also be fun where you would collect as many opponents as you could in a short time and when that time is up the ball could explode sending them and misc items flying! It would be incredibly fun and silly.

  Third on the list that I would like to see as a New Challenger just because I’ve always LOVE playing it on my GBA would have to be:

Courtesy of Edge-Online

A Character from Advance Wars!

Here’s why:

There would be so many characters to choose from and so many abilities for these characters!

I would like to see Andy, which might go with me always cheering on for the small guy, because the fact that he’s the most well-rounded character would make him prime for entry as a New Challenger!

I would also like to see Sami, probably because she is a strong female who can kick ass when she needs to.

There could be so many moves to use specific to the type of characters Andy and Sami are. And a final smash wouldn’t be hard to think of for these guys. It would be something like an attack from their infantries, ships, planes, and mechs. Not to mention the skins at character selection would be fun (Orange, Blue, etc).

  The Fourth Character I would like to see is not really A character but a few characters:

Returning Characters AND Support Characters!

RETURNING:

  Jigglypuff

Pokemon trainer

Mewtwo

Roy

Captain Falcon

Ganondorf

Falco

 Game & Watch

Ice Climbers

Lucas

Here’s why:

I think these guys should be brought back because they have move sets that could be amazing and unique! Some were thought to be lame (Ice Climbers, Pokemon trainer) and others mirrors of characters (Technically Lucario is the mirror, Captain Falcon and Ganondorf, Falco), but they could be made to be amazing and unique. I personally loved the difference between Marth and Roy and how much less elegant Roy was. I also liked the impressiveness of Game & Watch and how he was a 2D character in this 3D world.

I just think these guys need a move makeover and put back on the roster, a second chance to shine.

SUPPORT:

Either because they’re support characters for characters already/previously in the game, I feel these characters should be added so that the main characters added won’t be the only ones representing a series.

Courtesy of Characters Wikia

Tails!

Here’s why:

Tails should be brought into the fight because Sonic was in Brawl & in the upcoming one, and Tails would have a good amount of awesome moves on his own list. Some would include his flying ability that would help him return to stage, and technical moves from the engineer he is. His final smash could even be using his plane and bombing the stage.

Courtesy of MegaMan Wikia

Zero!

Here’s why:

He would of course add to the sword wielding characters, but the projectile slashes and fairies could even be added if they really wanted! I’ve always loved Zero, probably because he is so cool, and I feel he should be added to the game cause he could have a great move set and an even cooler final smash!

  And of course, the most anticipated character I want to see in the new SSB would be:

Courtesy of Wikipedia

Pac Man!

Here’s why:

With MegaMan having been announced as a New Challenger, and Sonic returning after SSB Brawl, it would be fantastic to see another iconic character enter the fight. There would even be some sweet moves he could have, such as:

-Throwing fruit (cherries, strawberries, etc) at opponents, giving them damage like Dr. Mario, or Mario, or Luigi

- Eating projectile moves like they were pellets and eventually causing damage back

- There could be a move that bring Blinky, Inky, Pinky, and Clyde into the mix like making them chase pac man and him making the Ghosts collide with other players causing damage

- And of course the given final smash of making everyone blue, reverting to his classic look, and eating everyone on stage (controlled by player and can only make 90 degree turns!)

Hey, whom ever is reading this!

My name is Elio and I intend this tumblr account to act as my blog for any and all video game endeavors that I experience. That can be a log of my experience with a game, a game review, or any events I go to. With my career pursuit being game development and my frequent game playing, I thought "why shouldn't I just write this for those who are excited about classics, curious about what makes a certain game good, the industry, or a good ole' journey".

With having just graduated from Ithaca College with a BS in Computer Science and a concentration in Game Development, I immediately wanted to get out there to meet all kinds of people. I went out to the first event at the closest GDC chapter to me; I currently live in Holiday, FL and it is probably the worst place for this since the closest location is in Orlando, FL which is 2 hours away! I've been making the trip there where I attend Indienomicon, a group that promotes indie developed board and video games. I've met a good amount of people and have been enjoying myself. I've recently participated in Global Game Jam  as well, but I'll go more into that great experience later. 

As for now, on top of Job hunting, the most exciting thing I've been doing is playing a good amount of video games. Ranging from NES and Sega Master System, to PS3 and Nintendo 3DS, I'm playing them all. And on top of everything else, I'm excited to share my experiences with what I love the most, Video Games.

Logging out,