Adventures in Game Development

[Trask]

Thanks M_D_K!

So Gyro, are you going to implement the game\'s content at all or is that Peter and Marcel\'s main duty? Sounds like you\'re just going to work on the engine and help with concepts and what not. Or do you hope to eventually finish the engine and jump into scripting and what not?

[Falco Girgis]

Oh, hell no. Elysian Shadows was originally my dream. Everything that I made in the engine was designed specifically for Elysian Shadows. I poured so much effort into creating, editing, and revising the storyline, and trying to come up with new and original gameplay elements for ES.

While it may be Peter and Marcel doing the majority of the Lua scripting (I will definitely still be involved), I will have an active role in things like gameplay, level design, storyline (ESPECIALLY NPC text, plot development, etc), and most definitely battle system. I won't be sitting back by any means. If Marcel and Peter are doing the majority of the scripting, I will still be looking over their shoulders every step of the way while I am doing my own thing.

[Andy K.]

Hey Falco, there is always something I wondered.

So this is your dream, does that make you the boss? Is there a hierarchy? Are you the top, then Peter, then Marcel? Or is it an equal share of a pie in which everybody is just trying to work toward your dream. It seems like you're all pretty even, but sometimes when you're talking about ES it seems like you're the head honcho.

[Falco Girgis]

We're even as far as I'm concerned. There is no monopoly. Tons of good ideas have come from the rest of the team. I founded the project, I'm the engine programmer, and I started the AiGD series, so it probably seems like I'm the big boss quite a bit, but it's really not that way at all.

[Andy K.]

We're even as far as I'm concerned. There is no monopoly. Tons of good ideas have come from the rest of the team. I founded the project, I'm the engine programmer, and I started the AiGD series, so it probably seems like I'm the big boss quite a bit, but it's really not that way at all.

That's good to know! I think I like that better from a spectator point-of-view for the vids. Also, I think ES will benefit better this way, it's all what's good for the game, right?

[Falco Girgis]

Maybe big bitcher is more appropriate. I do tell people what to get done. I do try to lead the project in a general direction, but I do without any more authority than the rest of the team.

I'm a leader in the leading respect, but not as far as having more power than anybody else is concerned. I bitch for people to do things.

[Andy K.]

Maybe big bitcher is more appropriate. I do tell people what to get done. I do try to lead the project in a general direction, but I do without any more authority than the rest of the team.

I'm a leader in the leading respect, but not as far as having more power than anybody else is concerned. I bitch for people to do things.

That's why I hate working on teams. I can't man-up and tell people what to do. I but at the same time I can't stand when things don't get done. I'd rather do it all myself so I know it gets done you're a better man than I.

[dandymcgee]

That's why I hate working on teams. I can't man-up and tell people what to do. I but at the same time I can't stand when things don't get done. I'd rather do it all myself so I know it gets done you're a better man than I.

Wow.. You have absolutely NO idea how perfectly you've just summed up my feelings for teams. I'm working a project in my Computer Science right now, and nothing is getting done.

I don't wanna be an asshole and tell my team to quit being lazy fucks (I admit to joining them in their laziness because of their laziness), but the fact that nothing is getting done makes me so mad.

I basically have 3 graphics artists, all of which are CONSTANTLY asking me "What should I work on next? What should I do? What can I make?", and myself as the engine programmer. I'd so much rather just do everything myself and get it done.

[Andy K.]

That's why I hate working on teams. I can't man-up and tell people what to do. I but at the same time I can't stand when things don't get done. I'd rather do it all myself so I know it gets done you're a better man than I.

Wow.. You have absolutely NO idea how perfectly you've just summed up my feelings for teams. I'm working a project in my Computer Science right now, and nothing is getting done.

I don't wanna be an asshole and tell my team to quit being lazy fucks (I admit to joining them in their laziness because of their laziness), but the fact that nothing is getting done makes me so mad.

I basically have 3 graphics artists, all of which are CONSTANTLY asking me "What should I work on next? What should I do? What can I make?", and myself as the engine programmer. I'd so much rather just do everything myself and get it done.

At least they're asking what they need to do!

I ruined an 8 year relationship with somebody because we decided to work on a team. The person kept going "YOU NEED TO DO THIS, I CAN'T DRAW THIS. THIS HAS TO BE IN MY STYLE. DO THIS. WHY DON'T WE ADD THIS TO THE PROJECT. I WANT TO CHANGE THE SIZE OF THE SPRITES." Which crashed and burned... I was even up for the person to use their own style. I gave them pretty detailed character details, such as how tall I wanted it to be, etc. etc. When I give an artist something to draw for me I give them every detail imaginable. I just don't say "Well here you go."

And then recently because I'm working on a project with voice acting, my good friend of two years, "WHY DO YOU DO SO MANY SCRIPT REWRITES, DON'T WORRY I CAN GET YOU THE AUDIO FILES, OH SORRY I WAS OUT WITH THIS BOY I'LL GET THEM TO YOU LATER, WHY DO YOU WANT ME TO REREAD THIS LINE IT SOUNDS FINE TO ME, I KNOW I SAID I WANTED TO WORK ON THIS PROJECT BUT I'M SUDDENLY NOT ABLE TO DO IT."

I might sound like I'm militant on my end, but I'm really not. I stay laid back when I make requests and I am always open to suggestions, and listen to what my teammates might need from me... But CRASH AND BURN, GOOD-BYE FRIENDS

ugh, I really hate teams.

[cypher1554R]

But CRASH AND BURN, GOOD-BYE FRIENDS.
ugh, I really hate teams.

If there was a GameDev bible, that would be one of the lines in the revelation part.

And I'm starting to figure this isn't just about gamedev. Where ever there are teammates depending on each other, you better be ready to give in the friendship. Especially if someone is passionate about it.. You better be ready for some fireworks too..

[Arce]

It's always good to have a MarauderIIC on the team, prepared to lay things out on a non-personal, more 'leadership' type level.

Especially when it comes to working 'professionally'.

[MarauderIIC]

Hooray for 2nd grade mandatory school curriculum conflict resolution classes!

Edit: The big secret is to not say 'you' -- that can sound accusatory. The problem is getting your emotions out of the way so that you can spend a time to think about what you're going to say.

Instead of:
"Your tiles needs some work"
Try:
"The tiles need some work."
Or better:
"The tile on the left needs less contrast"
Even better, phrase it as a suggestion:
"I think the tile on the left could use less contrast"

Instead of:
"You're screwing things up!"
Try:
"The situation is totally screwed up!"
Or better:
"The situation is totally screwed up. We should see what we can do to fix it."

There goes my job security.

[K-ROD]

Maurader is right. Simply taking out "you" from most of team conversations eliminates the risk of hurting your teammates' feelings.

I personally find that having a little sensitivity towards your teammates goes a long way. Its fun to be mischievous sometimes, but sometimes it important to accept your errors and make an effort to fix them.

I also wanted to add this: I first started watching "Adventures in Game Development" back in March 2008, I expected a straight forward game making video log of a team's video game project. It quickly dawned on me that this video log was much more in-depth than I first perceived it to be. From creating game engines to "edjumakations", from scripting in Lua to the sadistic liquid concoctions hidden in the refrigerator - I loved every moment in the video logs. I am very happy to see this project grow as it has so far and take such a beautiful form.

I want to say thanks guys! Thanks Team Game Dev! You have made this year a remarkably interesting and enlightening experience for me.

[Falco Girgis]

Thanks. These kinds of comments mean a lot to me.

[kyraptos]

Well hey their falcon :P i know you but you dont know me. I am a great fan of your work and your team work, i have watch nearly every video that you ever put on to youtube just wanted to let you know. My self (Ricki) 17years old is got him self in the world of game developement, i took your advice and got every fucking dam book on C, C++, C#. I've also done alot of reaserch on this before i begin the game of my dream, i will not tell you to much about it because i dont want to be to ambishus of my work.

Anyway man, i will talk to you in abit.

Keep up the great work! Cant wait to this game is finish what you and your team is working on.

-Rick