tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-107395082024-02-21T06:26:58.786-08:00Finding something is losing something else.Finding something is losing something else.
I think about,
perhaps even mourn,
what I lost to find this.
- Richard BraugtiganAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08191370680958396595noreply@blogger.comBlogger199125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10739508.post-44950037628626972532017-10-03T11:23:00.001-07:002017-10-03T11:28:51.711-07:00Winning the battle against myself<br />
<h3>
Backstory</h3>
After leaving high school early to go to college, I spent a lot of time figuring out what to do with my life. (Sure, almost no one studies something then does it forever, but you don't know that when you are a young overachiever.) I finally majored in Japanese, because I loved the aspect of taking on an entire culture; from linguistics to nuances of language to sociology to history, it was fascinating.<br />
<br />
When my studies and time in Japan had ended, I had a choice: go to grad school for a PhD. or find a "real" job. I couldn't bear the thought of 8+ more years in school; I needed to get out into the world and see if I could make it on my own.<br />
<br />
I worked in college administration for a while. Then, a chance reunion with a friend from college lead me to a technical support role at a software company. She had always relied on me to fix her printer and so on, so this seemed like a no-brainer. I started learning UNIX, printing, graphic design software, networking stack internals, and more. It was amazing.<br />
<br />
One of the meta-lessons from this job was the importance of quality in software development. Seeing the problems our customers encountered first-hand made me want to fix them before they shipped, so I moved into QA. In QA, I saw bugs that wouldn't have existed if we had better process, so I moved into project management. The company was small and the engineers were smart - they didn't really think they needed project management, and eventually I figured I could use what I'd learned in the video game industry, following a long-time dream to be a game developer.<br />
<br />
<h3>
The Project Management Nightmare</h3>
I've always been "the organized one" - as the child of a serial procrastinator, it was a skill I mastered early on. My passion for quality and customer satisfaction in software, coupled with my desire to force things to be "done right" made me think project management was the perfect job.<br />
<br />
Then I came to understand the dark side....conflict.<br />
<br />
You see, as an only child of a divorced parent, I had to endure very little conflict in the home. In the real world, I was bullied mercilessly my entire school life - from kindergarten till I left high school. To me, conflict meant something was really wrong. It was to be avoided before it turned into name calling or a beating.<br />
<br />
Of course, that ignores the basic truth that conflict management is a critical part of leadership. There is no "perfect" conflict-free business...and if there was, it probably wouldn't succeed. Every business needs differences of opinion in order to arrive at the best decisions. Sometimes those differences feel like white-knuckled conflict (and sometimes they actually are), but regardless, these are a necessary part of business. However, because of my fear of conflict, each time I faced some significant challenge -- the departure of the manager who championed my position, or layoffs that hit everyone in a group by me -- I ran away. I found a new job, hoping the next one would be better. And each time, it wasn't.<br />
<br />
Of course it wasn't! I couldn't be in a project management role without experiencing, and directly handling, conflict.<br />
<br />
<h3>
Tragedy</h3>
In 2012, my mother (the aforementioned single parent) had a heart attack caused by an infected emergency dialysis port. She was in the hospital for a long time, clinging to life. We moved to her apartment complex to support her in recovery. For a year I balanced my work (thank heavens my employer allowed me to become a remote worker!) and supporting her recovery.<br />
<br />
Except it wasn't really recovery. She needed the emergency dialysis port because her kidneys were failing. End Stage Renal Failure has no cure, and no one in healthcare seems to particularly give a shit when an elderly patient is dying because that's what's supposed to happen.<br />
<br />
I watched the light inside my beloved mother -- my life-long best friend & the other half of my soul -- slowly dim, until she passed away in early 2014.<br />
<br />
<h3>
"Can't Pick Up No Crown, Holding What's Holding You Down"</h3>
I will never in my life experience anything as awful, difficult, completely gut-wrenching as what I went through in that year. Thank god I had support from those close to me, but in the end it was all about me & her. I feel as though I lost half of my self, and will never get it back.<br />
<br />
And yet, out of that experience came a strength that I didn't know I had. I came to understand something a dear friend, now terminally ill, says about the opinion of others: "What are they going to do to me that is worse than what I'm dealing with now?"<br />
<br />
Today, I am at a career crossroads. I've talked about programming for years, but it's not a skill that comes easily to me no matter how much I love it. I just have to accept that, shitty as it is...<br />
<br />
I think I have the insight, and the internal strength, to utilize the skills I have -- the ones that come so naturally to me I can't <i>not </i>do them -- to help my colleagues make better software and to help make the company better so they can continue making better software: I am a Project Manager.<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08191370680958396595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10739508.post-66999404863665633222017-02-10T15:46:00.001-08:002017-02-10T15:48:45.333-08:00Who Am I?Reading posts from life before I lost my mother to diabetes is weird. I feel like I'm the same person, but I barely recognize my writing, opinions, and tastes. I learned a lot about strength, and what I am capable of....yet I sincerely hope I never have to deal with a situation like that again.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08191370680958396595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10739508.post-10914266882150877802014-01-26T01:00:00.002-08:002014-01-26T01:02:06.612-08:00APE 2013 DebriefOkay, it's been a helluva year. I'm just now getting around to documenting the cool stuff we saw at APE 2013. Here goes:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Best in show: <a href="http://www.yambooks.com/hagelbarger-and-that-nightmare-goat/" target="_blank">Hagelbarger and That Nightmare Goat</a> by Renee French</li>
<li>Most exciting new item: <a href="http://foxboxstudio.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Fox Box Studio</a> - outstanding 1/6th scale dolls, toys, and ephemera</li>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.foxboxstore.com/" target="_blank">Fox Box Store</a></li>
</ul>
<li>Favorite illustrations: <a href="http://www.gregluzniak.com/" target="_blank">Greg Luzniak</a></li>
<li>Best supplies: <a href="http://www.archsupplies.com/" target="_blank">Arch Supplies</a> - Potrero Hill art store</li>
<li><a href="http://www.monstark.com/" target="_blank">Monstark Studios</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.avoart.com/" target="_blank">Avo Freelance Illustrator</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.rawrztoys.com/" target="_blank">Rawrz Toys</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.neenerbot.com/" target="_blank">Jeannine Schafer</a> - cute illustrations & toys</li>
<li><a href="http://www.coolcatblue.com/" target="_blank">Cool Cat Blue</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.thechung.com/" target="_blank">David Chung Illustration</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.kellypattonart.com/" target="_blank">Kelly Patton Art</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.caseyg.com/" target="_blank">Casey Girard Illustrator & Designer</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.fluffengine.com/" target="_blank">Fluff Engine</a> - plush toys and patterns</li>
<li><a href="http://www.laurentkermel.com/" target="_blank">Laurent Kermel</a> artist and illustrator</li>
<li><a href="http://pepper-tea.deviantart.com/" target="_blank">Pepper-Tea Illustration & Design</a></li>
<li><a href="http://ducksofrubber.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">Jasmin Lai</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.nothing-obvious.com/" target="_blank">H.A. Pearson / Nothing Obvious</a></li>
<li><a href="http://derlaine8.deviantart.com/" target="_blank">Laine</a></li>
<li><a href="http://svff.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">Sophie Dao</a></li>
<li><a href="http://waffles-the-cat.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">Waffles the Cat</a></li>
</ul>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08191370680958396595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10739508.post-30900169143917220422013-08-14T15:45:00.000-07:002013-08-14T15:45:02.115-07:00My theory of "literally"I haven't bothered to see if anyone else has put this theory forth so here goes.<br />
<br />
Today, there was some article on how the meaning of literally had been co-opted in recent slang. This got me to thinking - why do we say <i>literally all of them were delicious</i> or <i>literally everyone was there</i>. What's wrong with <i>all</i> or <i>everyone</i>?<br />
<br />
I think that Gens X and Y are part of a language movement towards exaggeration. So much has happened in the last forty years in the US, in the World, in technology - we are overwhelmed by possibilities. In such a world, where a human ear can be grown on the back of a mouse, how can we make sure our words have enough emphasis? We exaggerate.<br />
<br />
I do this all the time - subconsciously. If there were <i>three</i> of something I'm describing, <i>five</i> comes out of my mouth. If there were in actuality <i>ten thousand</i>, I'll say <i>millions</i>. Maybe I started it as a way to make what I was saying more interesting. Maybe it's a self-inflicted impostor syndrome defect. I don't know. But I do it. I try to catch myself, but it's such a habit that I don't always catch the words before they spring forth.<br />
<br />
It seems to me that <i>literally everyone</i> in Gen Y does this. Maybe not all Gen X'ers, but we definitely planted the seeds with Valley Girl slang (<i>totally</i>! <i>awesome</i>!) and now we reap what we sowed. Why say something was <i>amazing</i> when you can say it was <i>literally the best thing ever</i>. Isn't that more fun? And who cares if it's not true - some new amazing thing will come tomorrow that we can honestly label as <i>literally the best thing ever</i>.<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08191370680958396595noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10739508.post-6930620978511742002013-08-14T15:35:00.000-07:002013-08-14T15:35:05.886-07:00What a fucking yearThis last year has been gnarly. New job, illness, family crisis, surgery, move, more illness. I've finally gotten a handle on it, so I plan to start writing again.<br />
<br />
Thank god the blog doesn't complain when I neglect it.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08191370680958396595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10739508.post-14155765730014264402012-07-22T22:28:00.003-07:002012-07-22T22:32:11.713-07:00Renegade Craft Fair FindsWe took a few hours today to visit the <a href="http://www.renegadecraft.com/sanfrancisco" target="_blank">San Francisco Renegade Craft Fair</a>, which was held at Fort Mason Center Festival Pavilion today. The following places were super cool and we don't want to forget them.<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><b><span style="color: orange; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">OUR BEST IN SHOW</span></b>! <a href="http://peggyskemp.com/" target="_blank">Peggy Skemp</a> is an uber talented jeweler. We would have bought most of her wares had we the cash...and several pieces are on our Christmas lists!</li>
<li>Gorgeous hand-made floral jewelry from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/moiraklime" target="_blank">Moira K. Lime (Etsy)</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/thebocketstore" target="_blank">The Bocket Store (Etsy)</a> - cute dot-painted plates, bowls, and containers</li>
<li>Cuff links, pins, and earrings at <a href="http://mehoi.com/" target="_blank">Mehoi.com</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/lifewithtigers" target="_blank">Life with Tigers (Etsy)</a>, home of the <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/66886358/severed-leg-catnip-toy-dads-necktie-sock" target="_blank">severed human leg catnip toy</a>!</li>
<li>Outstanding doll maker <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/MimiKirchner" target="_blank">Mimi Kirchner (Etsy)</a></li>
<li>"Illustration with imagination" by <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/inkandsword" target="_blank">Ink and Sword (Etsy)</a></li>
<li>Extremely useful bandolier for journals, books, and notepads by <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/cleverhands" target="_blank">Cleverhands (Etsy)</a></li>
<li><a href="http://emmasancartier.com/" target="_blank">Emma San Cartier Illustrations</a></li>
<li>Awesome mash-ups of childrens illustrations, religious imagery, and dinosaurs at <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/unusualcards" target="_blank">Unusual Cards (Etsy)</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.fernworks.org/" target="_blank">Fernworks</a> makes beautiful, natural jewelry</li>
<li>Superb shadow puppets at <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/owlyshadowpuppets" target="_blank">Owly Shadow Puppets (Etsy)</a></li>
<li>Emmie Hsu makes the weirdest greeting cards you'll ever see at <a href="http://www.fomato.com/" target="_blank">Fomato.com</a></li>
<li>Cool art by <a href="http://www.drewmorrison.com/" target="_blank">Drew Morrison</a></li>
</ul>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The full list of vendors can be found on the <a href="http://www.renegadecraft.com/sanfrancisco-artists" target="_blank">Renegade Craft Fair site</a>.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08191370680958396595noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10739508.post-10333980703158331002012-05-13T03:05:00.001-07:002012-05-13T03:05:46.176-07:00Pro Tips from a Project ManagerAs a project manager, my main job duties consist of being organized and communicating clearly. I pay attention to the reasons for mis-communication and have developed a mental catalog of ways to avoid them. Here are some organization and communication tips that will make your day easier.<div>
<br /><div>
<h3>
1. One topic, one email</h3>
<div>
<div>
If you want to send a new email to someone, don't find an old one from them and reply to them with an unrelated item. Copy and paste their email address into a new email (if your address book doesn't automatically populate their info) and add a new subject line. This alerts them to the fact that a new issue has arisen, and also prevents old content from being shared with others who may need to be included on the new thread. Finally, you avoid "thread fatigue" in which the interest level of a recipient is inversely proportional to the number of entries in the thread. Intro email > response > final reply is much more effective than Intro email > response > reply > response > new topic > responses!</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h3>
2. Write things down</h3>
<div>
It never ceases to amaze me that people will attentively listen to feedback, and walk away without having written any of it down. In a busy office environment, who has the mental capacity to remember important details despite the constant flow of cross-talk, meetings, context switches, and so on? Pretty much no one. Do yourself a favor and get a notepad you can comfortably carry, and a nice pen that you enjoy holding, and start writing stuff down. You can always convert the info into notes later -- having the ability to jot down notes and questions at any time will make a big difference in your ability to be accurate and complete in your work.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h3>
3. Ask questions</h3>
<div>
When talking with team members about a topic, don't just smile and nod when unfamiliar terms are presented. Instead, find a good time to ask what they mean. If you don't have an opportunity to ask at the time, write the issue down as a follow-up item on your handy notepad (see above) and pursue the answer later. It may feel a bit uncomfortable at first, because you are letting your team members know you don't know absolutely everything...but hey -- realistically <b>no one</b> can know everything. By asking questions you improve your ability to do a good job. Take the plunge and get the data you need to do a better job.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08191370680958396595noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10739508.post-82059076263406758072012-02-09T21:55:00.000-08:002012-02-09T21:56:00.166-08:00Another Really Weird DreamHere's my weird dream:<br />
<br />
It began with a journey to Montana. I was near a river, looking for someone's house. While outside, I took pictures of some bears that were nearby. They looked aggressive and I was frightened so I retreated to the porch of a house.<br />
<br />
Entering the house, I felt a sense of foreboding; I knew it was haunted. I saw a bed and understood that a little girl ghost was lingering there. She showed me her long illness and eventual death from poisoning by her mother (who had caused the girl's sickness because of her own Munchhausen syndrome). I hugged the little girl ghost, to reassure her, promising I'd help her find peace. I wasn't sure how, but I knew I had to do it. (There was sequence in this part of the dream with paper airplanes but I'm not sure exactly why. Maybe it was a trick I tried to entertain her or set her at ease somehow?)<br />
<br />
I left her and traveled to a small town - it was supposed to be the place where I grew up but didn't resemble it exactly. The locals regarded me with suspicion. In the main street shopping area, I entered a curio shop and asked for directions. The owner was a nice woman - we chatted a bit. I left and headed towards the hills to find...something. While there I realized that one of the local children was beckoning me, telling me to avoid the hillside. I noticed a militaristic compound with large bunkers, each with angry-looking people streaming out. At that point I knew that the people were separationists who thought I was encroaching on their land, trying to steal their stockpile saved up for the end of the world.<br />
<br />
I headed back towards town where the local child lead me to her house. There was a large patio with a gazebo. Old picnic tables, piles of junk, rocks and plants were scattered about. Every usable space was covered with some kind of alchemical element - fleshy white nodules, empty insect carapaces, gems, dried plants, bits of bone and skin. The variety was stunning and I was confused. I explained to the woman, who was the mother of the local child, that I needed help. She instructed me to brew a solution to the problem. I didn't know what elements to mix, though it seemed I had some natural ability at selecting potential cures. The mixing vessel was a large, flat bowl under the gazebo on a large stone base. I attempted to craft a brew, but wound up sucked into a sort of mental vortex while gazing into the mixing bowl (which was vaguely like Galadriel's scrying pool from Lord of the Rings). I somehow shook free from the vortex and ran inside, feeling drugged and bewildered and definitely out of place.<br />
<br />
In the foyer of the house was a chest of drawers against a wall. The piece was weird and organic - fleshy and somehow sentient like a Salvador Dali woman/furniture piece mixed with a David Cronenberg set piece from Videodrome. I contemplated pulling a drawer open but the chest of drawers started undulating and twisting, and I could see a head rolling forward, as though the woman has been staring at the sky in a yoga pose, and slowly brought her head back to neutral position. My companion passed by me and opened the front by pulling the whole face aside (like a cabinet door in which the drawers were falsely embedded). Together, we stepped inside the house. We hid in a dirty bedroom, just under a window which looked onto the hillside. I glanced into the sky, still in a daze from the alchemical mis-fire and saw a giant brain monster with glaring eyes. It was like a hybrid of a B-movie monster and one of the giant robots from the 50's version of War of the Worlds. It was gigantic and angry - a Lovecraftian Horror come to destroy us. I knew that looking at it would draw its ire, but couldn't help myself. It was miles away, but at its size it crossed towards us quickly, its evil eyes burning the scenery around it into a black cloud. At some point I mustered the willpower to break its gaze and ducked below the window frame.<br />
<br />
I guess that this trick worked, because we weren't vaporized as I'd expected. Perhaps my magician-hosts had banished the brain monster back to the dimension from which it came? I didn't really care - I just knew that I could escape. I still had a vague memory of trying to help the little ghost girl, and brought with me from the house a sort of pellet gun that shot some of the magic white nodules. This would be of some use though I'm not sure what or how. I walked from the house along a pathway that followed the river. The fields that bordered the other side of the path were green and lush. One of the separationists was about to catch up to me, but I shot at him with the gun and he retreated; my magical host child was happy at this and we laughed.<br />
<br />
Finally, I came to a driveway along the path, which was growing into a proper street as country paths sometimes do. I got in the car, a long black limousine, and started driving towards the bridge that would lead me back to where I started at the little girl's house (though it was far away). The car was stiff, difficult to drive, and as I approached the bridge which was off to my left, I was unable to turn effectively and slid into another house's driveway. I got out of the car and stared at the bridge.<br />
<br />
That was the end of the dream.<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08191370680958396595noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10739508.post-2573777182864442132012-01-22T12:29:00.000-08:002012-05-13T03:05:53.604-07:00Lettuce Feeling<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie5di3rKH8A_MwNByOfrvJcWedzQDYyzZVuzK44hU5Hx0yid3YGQhEKYXZK7ymBP-qE48nh301t0vlaMg1SAw7GOySNun9iTfUI7dszb6b4tnF0vdy_c1nXeeW99cc9_HCWGdG/s1600/lettuce.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="169" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie5di3rKH8A_MwNByOfrvJcWedzQDYyzZVuzK44hU5Hx0yid3YGQhEKYXZK7ymBP-qE48nh301t0vlaMg1SAw7GOySNun9iTfUI7dszb6b4tnF0vdy_c1nXeeW99cc9_HCWGdG/s200/lettuce.jpg" width="200" /></a>In my younger days, I experienced a strange phenomenon. When shopping at the grocery store, I would get a strange feeling when I looked at the lettuces piled up in the produce section. Kind of an internal shiver. It was worse with the darker leaf varieties - romaine, red and green leaf - but still happened when I gazed at even the iceberg or butter heads.<br />
<br />
<b>I call it "Lettuce Feeling."</b><br />
<br />
My research has yielded few clues to the cause of this strange malady, and I believe I've only ever met another sufferer once. I wonder if there is a proper moniker for this condition.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08191370680958396595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10739508.post-28388435299007980152012-01-01T13:30:00.000-08:002012-01-01T13:30:42.780-08:00New Year Resolutions for 2012The title of this post is misleading. You'd think you would be seeing a list of things I plan to do in 2012, but it's not. Instead I'm going to write about what I am *not* going to do this year.<br />
<br />
First, I'm going to stop worrying about "being someone." I already am someone--me! I don't need to worry if famous person A or famous person B knows who I am. I found out the hard way that even when they do know who you are, they usually don't give a shit. So fuck 'em. I am me and that's all that I need.<br />
<br />
Second, and related, I'm not going to worry about my title. I always thought that a fancy title meant validation of my effort. But it doesn't. There is some correlation, to be sure, when a title / promotion is given to a hard working employee. Honestly, though, there are plenty of ways to get promoted without being awesome...so maybe when I really think about it, there is no innate value to a fancy title. If I earn one, great. But no more chasing a title for validation. I will keep doing a good job regardless of what my role is called, and be okay with that.<br />
<br />
Third, and finally, I'm going to use the knowledge I've gained from my time off to keep improving. I've learned that I can relax and the world won't fall apart. I can take a break and I'll still have energy and drive when I start again. That may be the best gift I've received in a long time, and I'm not going to forget it.<br />
<br />
I look forward to a prosperous and fulfilling 2012!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08191370680958396595noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10739508.post-903705804369034512011-12-09T20:13:00.001-08:002012-05-13T03:06:07.400-07:00Necessity<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjag7vCzI_9TaI-rjkv7D3aIzzAp9jafKEb2PI-GI3b6gjKHvBC_R8UjkEbWW0uBm_B2z2MoXCZUAUztzAqMo5bKuv-wccp0P34WR8pM1LhO7290yccyMfwqRj5pTARl07hhaHr/s1600/necessity.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjag7vCzI_9TaI-rjkv7D3aIzzAp9jafKEb2PI-GI3b6gjKHvBC_R8UjkEbWW0uBm_B2z2MoXCZUAUztzAqMo5bKuv-wccp0P34WR8pM1LhO7290yccyMfwqRj5pTARl07hhaHr/s320/necessity.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I saw this on Facebook, and shared it there. But it's too important to stop at the 500M FB users so I'm sharing here, too, with credit to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/jennifer.c.goff">Jennifer Cornelison Harper</a>.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08191370680958396595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10739508.post-69653364074987259332011-12-03T21:05:00.001-08:002011-12-03T21:45:12.383-08:00Bazaar Bizarre San Francisco Dec 3, 2011We braved the sunny weather today to attend the <a href="http://www.bazaarbizarre.org/sanfrancisco/">Bazaar Bizarre (San Francisco edition)</a> at the Concourse Exhibition Center East. Here are the vendors/artists we liked the most:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.kelsodoesntdance.com/">Kelso Doesn't Dance</a> - Kelso repurposes old books, playing cards, and maps into notebooks. She has an <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/KelsoDoesntDance">Etsy shop</a> where you can find items online, but they are more fun to browse in person.</li>
<li><a href="http://www.sweet-meats.com/">Sweet Meats</a> - Lauren Venell creates cute pork chop, steak, and bacon pillows out of 100% recycled PET bottles. Super cute!</li>
<li><a href="http://doubleparlour.com/">Double Parlour</a> - Sculpture and illustrations both simple and sublime. Double Parlour also has an <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/doubleparlour">Etsy shop</a>.</li>
<li><a href="http://birdmafia.com/">Bird Mafia</a> - Gorgeous cut paper designs layered to produce a 3-D shadow box effect. View designs and info on the site, and shop on their <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/birdmafia">Etsy page</a>.</li>
<li><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/feralartery">Feral Artery</a> (Etsy shop) - Mutants and monsters abound! A chihuahua body with a lemur head and bloody fangs? A white yeti with glowing purple eyes? Sounds good to us.</li>
<li><a href="http://www.studiomme.com/">Studio M.M.E. Illustrations</a> - Can a design be at once both cute and mysterious? Megan Eckman has proven it so! Visit to view her illustrations, embroidery patterns, jewelry, notebooks, and other hand-made items.</li>
<li><a href="http://maggiehurley.com/">Maggie Hurley</a> - Portraits, illustrations, and plush toys are charming but not simple. I really liked the small, square bird and animal paintings, though you can see a high level of quality in all of her work.</li>
</ul>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08191370680958396595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10739508.post-30390639127793586752011-11-27T23:34:00.001-08:002011-12-03T21:46:16.976-08:00Horoscope November 27, 2011Thank you, horoscope, for telling me what I needed to hear:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
You may be emerging from a tough phase, yet you're still able to rationalize what you want. However, many delicious feelings are bubbling up from your subconscious now and tempting you to set aside your objectivity. Hold on steady and keep your eyes on the current opportunities, for this wave should ultimately bring a positive transformation. </blockquote>
Will do!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08191370680958396595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10739508.post-1908768944433046252011-11-19T00:48:00.001-08:002012-01-01T13:30:42.776-08:00New Year's Resolutions (A Bit Early)<br />
<div>
Why wait till January 1st to make positive changes? Here are five things I will be doing more of, starting now:</div>
<ol>
<li>Read more - read a book for fun at least once per month. (Business books don't count unless they are <b><i>fun</i></b>!)</li>
<li>Get a massage every now and then.</li>
<li>Go to the woods or park -- Muir Woods, SF Botanical Garden, Conservatory of Flowers. Bonus points for picnics!</li>
<li>Reach out to friends and relatives. Even if it's as simple as sending an email every now-and-then, make a concerted effort to let my loved ones know I care.</li>
<li>Track food and exercise diligently.</li>
</ol>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08191370680958396595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10739508.post-78936910453598533062011-11-06T02:23:00.001-08:002011-12-03T21:46:16.992-08:00Another useful horoscopeYou think that you can hear the future calling you today, and you want to get things rolling. But you aren't sure whether or not to take the whole thing seriously. Rest assured the opportunity is worth pursuing, so don't waste time wondering if it's real. It doesn't matter; just pick up the imaginary phone and engage the possibilities.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08191370680958396595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10739508.post-41834254455873983432011-10-25T03:48:00.000-07:002011-12-03T21:46:16.987-08:00A reminder about forgiveness<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmgh4m0cK-PLpTrby79KSdKe-_NFqjuTW1CLtoVEhH1GbOnu64aYcAXZYPPdttYo4eo4J9rmjE6_en4eMZP_fCSAsbLs4wPj9UOH5YMTTS3k4G_cIOzNQNXDf_t74rOFxSI5xM/s1600/forgiveness.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmgh4m0cK-PLpTrby79KSdKe-_NFqjuTW1CLtoVEhH1GbOnu64aYcAXZYPPdttYo4eo4J9rmjE6_en4eMZP_fCSAsbLs4wPj9UOH5YMTTS3k4G_cIOzNQNXDf_t74rOFxSI5xM/s320/forgiveness.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From the Integratron <br />(Photo courtesy of Robin Hunicke)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I am learning about forgiveness this year. Here is another excellent reminder:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Your emotional perceptions are keen today, but you could inadvertently mix up old memories with the current situation. Your insecurities may be tied to an old pattern of attachment that has been followed by disappointment. <b>But you're not obliged to repeat the past; instead, clear your slate by retelling your story in a new and different way, one that doesn't place blame on anyone else for your feelings.</b> Once you take full responsibility for your reactions, you'll be freer to open your heart even wider.</blockquote>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08191370680958396595noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10739508.post-47818601561406772852011-10-23T22:55:00.000-07:002011-10-23T23:34:15.061-07:00Advice on breaking into - and working in - the video game industry part 2<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"></span><br />
<div>
<br />
<b>Q: What are the core skills for a producer?</b><br />
<br />
A: From my experience, the core skills for a producer vary but generally include: people management, negotiation/mediation, coaching/mentoring, solid knowledge of game development (including the area which they oversee), contract review, time management/scheduling, presentation/public speaking, and mastery of software tools for the creation of spreadsheets/slide decks/documents and so forth (i.e. MS Office or similar). Specialized knowledge of production techniques can come later--having several of these will get you in the door at least, regardless of your background.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Q: How do I develop the skills needed to become a producer?</b><br />
<br />
A: The best way to develop any skill is by using it. If that's not an option (i.e. because you aren't in the position yet), you should be able to read books, take classes or find colleagues who can help you in person. There are also lots of skills that aren't specific to games--public speaking and presenting, for example, can be learned/enhanced through Toastmasters International. You may wish to take online project management courses if you really want to delve deep into that specialty. If you just want an overview, I highly recommend the book <a href="http://amzn.com/007144307X"><i>The Business Savvy Project Manager</i> by Gary Heerkens</a>. It is by far the best overview of indispensable project management skills for anyone, minus all of the stupid bullshit that isn't really useful.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Q: What are employers looking for in an entry-level producer candidate?</b><br />
<br />
A: Employers are looking for someone who fits the job description completely or partially. If partially, enthusiasm, pragmatism, intelligence, and diligence can make up the deficit. If you are seeking an entry level position, you'll have to differentiate your application. I suggest finding a professional resume template online and using that to draft a polished resume. Make sure that you have ZERO typos or grammatical errors in your resume and cover letter. Be sure the correct company name and job title appears in all correspondence (believe it or not, I've seen plenty of applications with cut-and-paste errors).<br />
<br />
Most importantly for anyone trying to "break in" from another area or even industry: find ways to take what you've done before--game-related or not--and show how the skills you gained or problems you solved can be applicable to the job to which you are applying.<br />
<br />
For example, if you were in QA, explain that your daily responsibility was to evaluate the state of the release and to bring critical issues to the attention of your boss/lead. Describe the tools you used (showing technical savvy & familiarity with engineering process) as well as communication channels (email, discussion, meetings, showing that you are a team player and understand group dynamics). The best way to make this list, in my opinion, is to write down each task you do and the break it into components--did it require tech, communication, team work, specialized knowledge, problem solving skills, etc.? This way you can show an employer that you have skills that are applicable to their needs, even if you don't have direct job experience.<br />
<div style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></div>
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08191370680958396595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10739508.post-53060232512054867052011-10-20T00:22:00.000-07:002011-10-23T23:35:54.572-07:00Advice on breaking into - and working in - the video game industry<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><i>This post is a compendium of emails and articles I've written for folks interested in breaking into the video game industry. I will continue to post as I have more information to share</i>.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Q: What do hiring managers look for?</span></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">A: We see lots of young, fresh-out-of-school people who don't understand what it's like to hold a day job, and have unrealistic expectations of what it means to make games. Therefore, working on games as a hobby, before you get paid for it, is a real plus from the perspective of a person looking at your resume. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Hiring managers want to know that you know what it takes to make a game, have a strong work ethic, and are dedicated to the idea of being a part of something cool like a video game. Honestly, there are 100 people applying for each job so we never lack candidates. What we DO lack are GOOD candidates. We need people who are dedicated and reliable. If you can find a way to convey that when applying for jobs, I encourage you to do so!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Q: How do I learn how to network? What about self-promotion?</span></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">A: I feel very lucky to know a lot of awesome folks in the industry, from indie developers to big studio/publisher executives. I met these people by learning who is who in the industry, then seeking out people I wanted to know more about at industry events. Because I live in an area where there are a lot of game development studios, it's fairly easy for me to locate them. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">If you aren't near many industry vets, you might try attending trade shows such as PAX, GDC, and so forth. In addition, you should cultivate a professional personality. For example, you can write a game-related blog (in your chosen domain, of course), and post professional, well-crafted entries on a regular basis. Also, I recommend establishing a profile on LinkedIn.com listing your experience (in all areas) and participating in indie game development contests.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Q: What is included in an average day in the life of a producer?</span></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">A: I work with product managers to secure review and approval for the features they design. I work with our engineers to get estimates for implementing the features. I work with artists and content creators to ensure they have the information and designs they need to execute on in-game items, animations, levels, and marketing assets. Basically, I understand all of the pieces that go into a new version of our game, and then help everyone execute on them by holding meetings, schedules for the team, writing documentation, and lots of other small tasks.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Q: Where did you start in the industry, and how long did it take you to work your way up?</span></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">A: I worked in software development for more than four years, starting in Technical Support, moving to Quality Assurance, and finally into project management. I decided that I wanted to move into video game development, and found the skills I'd gained applied very well to game development. I joined Linden Lab to work on Second Life in 2005 as a Project Coordinator. From there, I worked as Program and Project Manager for InstantAction.com, BioWare Edmonton's Dragon Age: Origins, online features for Mass Effect 2 and other games at EA, project manager at World Golf Tour, Agile Program Manager at Playdom SF, and Director of Studio Operations at Loot Drop, Inc.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Q: What skills would someone need to get a job in the game industry?</span></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">A: Loving video games is great, but that alone doesn't qualify you for a job. You need to have a skill or two that is in demand for the creation of games: for artists, this should be both traditional and digital art skills; for programmers, modern programming language experience, and graphics or physics programming knowledge; for designers, scripting language such as Lua or Python; for animators, experience with 3D animation using a popular program such as Maya; for QA or other entry-level roles, experience doing the thing you want a position for, even as a hobby or non-professionally, is a boon. Producers tend to come from one of these other disciplines, having decided to follow a management path. Some of us, like me, are professional project managers who are applying our skills to this industry.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Q: What software packages should students learn to improve their ability to work in games? </span></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">A: Maya, 3D Studio Max, After Effects, and QuickTime for animators; C++, C#, Unreal Engine, Unity 3D engine, ActionScript3, etc. for programmers; Lua, Python, Unreal Editor for designers; Photoshop, Maya, ZBrush, etc. for artists. I'm sure there are others, but these are the most popular and useful.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Q: How much of the producer's work is collaborative?</span></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">A: My work is all collaborative - everything I do is on behalf of the team or the product or the company!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Most work done in games is collaborative from the perspective that the person designing things isn't implementing them, and people have to work together to produce polished final content. That said, most people will work half a day alone, and maybe a quarter of the day in meetings or reviews where collaboration occurs.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Q: What is the most common shortcoming of job seekers in the game industry?</b> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">A: There are a lot of people who want to make games. There is a lot of competition for positions. However, if you are motivated and have initiative to learn tools and techniques on your own, recruiters and hiring managers will take notice. They want people who know how to work hard and don't expect making games to be as fun as playing them (because it's not).</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Q: What is your educational background? Do you feel it adequately prepared you for your career?</span></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">A: I majored in Japanese in college. I wound up moving into tech in 2001 when there were lots of jobs in the sector and not enough "qualified" applicants. Five years later, in 2005, I moved into video games and have been here since. What prepared me for a career in video games was my love of video games more than anything else. I found that what I'm good at - project management - is needed in the production of games large and small. So, I can follow my passions in play and work at the same time. I'm currently working on my masters degree in project management to add a classical education to my self-taught project management skills.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Q: What opportunities are there for promotion in the game industry?</span></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">A: The opportunities to advance really depend on the area you are in. Most specialists - designers, artists, animators, engineers - can choose between a management role or a subject-matter expert role in which they mentor others but don't directly oversee them. Regardless of the role, your typical progression in most departments is: junior or assistant, then associate, then ..., and eventually senior or lead, manager, and finally director. </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08191370680958396595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10739508.post-92037442741595845712011-10-10T15:19:00.000-07:002011-10-10T15:19:45.748-07:00Why Netflix was right to "fail fast" with QwiksterBy now you've heard that <a href="http://www.fastcompany.com/1786400/netflix-vp-why-we-moved-too-fast-and-why-we-were-wrong-on-qwikster">Qwikster is dead</a>, either in the media or through an email from Netflix itself. Yes, it was a colossal error that came at a time when customers were already annoyed with price hikes. And yes, it was stupid to loudly proclaim that it was the best thing ever and then pull it just weeks later.<br />
<br />
Clearly Netflix embraced the "ship fast and iterate" concept, which got them into the jam. But they did something right, too - they embraced the "fail fast" concept, meaning they realized their error and went about correcting it quickly.<br />
<br />
When a project is doomed, it's a lot better to fail fast and pull back before more money and time are lost. Especially when internal staff and external users aren't embracing it. Why wait till it loses millions and millions of dollars to fail? It's far better to acknowledge the failure and get back to business.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08191370680958396595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10739508.post-31567997140897855232011-10-08T00:35:00.000-07:002011-10-23T23:32:47.735-07:00What is a Video Game Producer?Most of the people who know me know that I work in the video game industry, but they don't really know what I do all day. Well, now I can just show them this video!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://penny-arcade.com/patv/episode/so-you-want-to-be-a-producer">http://penny-arcade.com/patv/episode/so-you-want-to-be-a-producer</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08191370680958396595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10739508.post-86680974762229055192011-10-02T23:39:00.000-07:002012-05-13T03:06:15.762-07:00Things I learned in 2010Here are some things that I learned in 2010:<br />
<br />
<ul><li>What people want for themselves may sound like what you want for yourself. However, all desire is in the eye of the beholder. Trust but verify.</li>
<li>I am smart and eager for challenges.</li>
<li>I am a natural leader but I can be hesitant to push as hard as a good leader should. It's okay if I push a bit more.</li>
<li>I love the video game industry, but not all games are created equal.</li>
<li>Honesty is the best policy...but so is waiting a day or two to speak your mind.</li>
</ul><div>I am looking forward to reading my list of things learned in 2011.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08191370680958396595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10739508.post-52044956141709655002011-09-05T21:24:00.001-07:002011-09-05T21:24:02.329-07:00Action!It's time for action. I've been trying to figure this shit out for years now, to no avail. I'm going to have to take the plunge sometime.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08191370680958396595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10739508.post-32269671583696086022011-07-04T01:28:00.001-07:002011-12-03T21:46:16.981-08:00Another one for posterityI was also interviewed by Deborah Fike for Thirteen1.com last month. The article is in PDF form, and can be accessed <a href="http://www.thirteen1.com/Issues/1313611/mag.php#58" target="_blank">here</a>.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08191370680958396595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10739508.post-8834387229623634242011-07-04T01:21:00.000-07:002011-10-23T23:32:59.580-07:00Interview on Gamasutra.comHere is the text of my <a href="http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/34426/Interview_Inside_The_Social_Recruitment_Boom.php" target="_blank">interview on Gamasutra.com</a>. Posting here should the permalink fail someday. :-)<br />
<br />
<blockquote><i>[In this interview with Loot Drop's Karen Clark, the studio operations director talks with Gamasutra about the processes and trends in the social gaming recruitment market and how they affect employees at traditional developers.]</i><br />
<br />
Sometimes, it feels like the last days of Rome. The rigid structures of the past are crumbling, their leading lights struggling to adapt. Aggressive new tribes are on the move and gaining ground. <br />
<br />
Where once the games industry had consolidated into a small group of publishing clusters dedicated to feeding the console market, it is now also a chaos of start-ups serving digital, mobile, social et al. <br />
<br />
Large companies shed employees as a part of "normal business practice" (in their own, vile words). Meanwhile, start-ups compete to attract the best-talent swirling around the market, often people with technical and entrepreneurial skills that were not highly valued by the big employers. <br />
<br />
I visited with someone at the center of this morass, Karen Clark, recently appointed director of studio operations at Loot Drop. Yeah, that's the social start-up headed up by big names like John Romero, Brenda Brathwaite, Laralyn McWilliams and Tom Hall. <br />
<br />
Clark is interesting in ways not often highlighted by the media. She's in charge of "everything from the recruiting pipeline to managing employee needs, vendors, outsourcing...everything that is not the actual game itself." <br />
<br />
If you're thinking of a move into social, she's worth a listen. She has bags of experience at Playdom, EA and Linden Labs. <br />
<br />
Loot Drop is just 18 people right now, all but one in San Mateo, CA, with Tom Hall the beginning of a planned Austin studio. The company is looking to double-up in the next few months. <br />
<br />
It is finishing its first game, Cloudforest Expedition, which will be published by RockYou this summer, with a second unannounced title further down the line. Core team members previously worked on the social game Ravenwood Fair for LOLapps, currently bringing in over a million DAUs. <br />
<br />
Clark says the jobs market is in a weird place. Cost-cutting publishers and the weak economy mean there are "a lot of people on the market right now." But a VC boom in social gaming also means "everybody is hiring." (Loot Drop is boot-strapped.) <br />
<br />
She adds, "Everybody in the social space is growing. You can look at job postings and you'll see a large volume of candidates being hired from places up and down the [Bay Area] peninsula, the south bay and in San Francisco. There's a lot of competition for this particular market segment." <br />
<br />
Loot Drop says it isn't working with recruiters. "Everybody is coming to us. We're in a good position. We have a lot of talented people applying and talking to us." <br />
<br />
Interesting that the hot roles of a few years back have been superseded as the market has shifted. "There are a lot of people coming from triple-A who have been displaced due to changes in consumer appetites. Unfortunately, not all of those jobs map well. For example, there are a lot of 3D texture artists, but it's hard to map that role to a Facebook game. Flash animation, traditional illustration are more important than making 3D levels. A really hardcore Flash coder is at the same kind of premium that those 3D texture mappers were five years ago." <br />
<br />
It's not just refugees from the console games sector. Hungry young talent is out there, looking for a challenge and for their big chance. <br />
<br />
"Some people in the industry are more entrepreneurial than others. They want to shift into social right now because that's where the money is, but also because it's a very different sort of creative challenge. If you look at John and Brenda, they aren't doing this to chase a buck, they are doing this because they're pursuing something that fascinates them." <br />
<br />
Clark concedes that farm-building games won't attract the big creative thinkers, adding that Cloudforest Expedition will show that social games can be built that include narrative, depth, characters and a sense of exploration. <br />
<br />
"We're going to see more story-driven games with plot structure. It's not just going to be about 'let's build a bunch of buildings...hooray...what now?' We're making games with a higher level of emotional engagement and that's attractive for a lot of the players on social networks, especially given the female bias in that sector." <br />
<br />
The massive disruption in business models - and therefore required skills - is also a reason why many are looking to social. This is an opportunity to learn. Games must be built that can grab players instantly, that can lure them in over a period of minutes, hours, days and more, that can be monetized incrementally. <br />
<br />
"Playing games [on Facebook] isn't about laying down $50," she says. "The player makes a tiny commitment with a minimum of exertion. There's an extremely low barrier for entry, and that makes people explore more. What does that mean for game design?" <br />
<br />
She adds, "The biggest trend right now is being able to react to the metrics, to consumer behavior. Game design isn't just about the designer; it's about how the designer collects and reacts to the metrics. We need to put the user first, but we need designers who aren't just following the numbers." <br />
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"This approach appeals to people who really know what they're doing in design, who enjoy the constant feedback and love to iterate quickly and come up with something that is even better than what was originally made. That's the trifecta, right?"</blockquote>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08191370680958396595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10739508.post-59729016286898969322011-04-07T10:18:00.000-07:002011-04-07T10:19:10.244-07:00Goodbye, GoDaddy - Hello NameCheap!Like many others, I was appalled by the video of GoDaddy.com CEO Bob Parsons proudly displaying the carcass of an elephant he'd shot on safari. (I'm not posting a video because I don't want to drive any traffic to his site.)<br />
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Anyway, a Twitter friend turned me on to a deal that hosting provider & domain registrar <a href="http://www.namecheap.com/">NameCheap.com</a> was having. I got a discount on registration using the code BYEBYEGD, which also allowed them to donate a portion of my fee to help elephants escape d-bags like Parsons.<br />
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So if you are paying GoDaddy any money what-so-ever, STOP NOW and move to a company that doesn't actively encourage cruel, imperialistic behavior!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08191370680958396595noreply@blogger.com0