Global Game Cram

I meant to post this 2 weeks ago

Jan 28th, 2011 - Jan 30th, 2011
Global Game Jam was interesting in a sense. It was not fun that I was sick and had to spend long hours trying to finish a game. It didn't help that I was inexperienced at making games. But, making a game from scratch was a good feeling. We discussed, talked about what game to make, ended up making an inconsistent game. We had 3 designers (including myself) make 3 different levels that were totally different. At the end, combined it and called it a game. I really enjoyed the artists' works (except one, no offense). But yeah it was a really good experience on how designers/programmers have to go through to make a game. takes a LOAD of time. like A LOT!

On that same weekend though. My bike got stolen that day. Major depression. I was getting very sick too. Back hurting, getting colds, feeling like crap. That day was also very cold and I only brought one layer of jacket. 4 hours into GGJ, I didn't get anything to eat. Just cookies, crackers, candy, and granola bars. I didn't drive that time, so I didn't go out and get dinner. Not having a car was also a problem! 2 AM saturday,
I was feeling like crap, depressed about a bike, cold, and hungry and had no ride home. I felt like giving up on this game thing and just bailing out.

Even when I was about to give up, I was able to find a ride home at 2:30 AM. once I got home, I was at the bike rack unlocking my unused chain bike lock. Jessica, my neighbor happened to walk by and we talked about what had happened to my bike. She then comforted me with caring words and me feel a lot better. I was able to eat some food at home, and stay warmer. I realize God made these struggles for me to realize that I need to depend on Him more. I was in one of my lowest points and did not not He was working in me even when I didn't ask. Wow...He is so good. Those were some essential sufferings I had to go through to get closer with Him.

Yeah, then we finished the game. GLOBAL GAME CRAM! 48 hours is actually not enough time to finish an awesome game, so u need to plan to make a small, yet fun game that will be completed in due time.

Okay I need to tell you a time when we presented our projects. About 8 teams made games and presented their games. Some were pretty awesome and amazing. There was one that was unfinished because they had no experience with XNA. After showing their unfinished game, they showed their game idea. It was basically very ambitious project and would have required a lot more than 48 hours to complete. I could totally understand why they didn't finish now. After they presented it was our turn (Team GameSalad)!

Every team had to have a team name, but no one really thought about it to begin with. Jonathan from out team was actually a tool designer for GameSalad and works for GameSalad, so he presented for us. So what he said was "Ummm, I guess we are Team GameSalad." Then a member from the unfinished game team hollered an unnecessary comment, "Don't you mean team 'FruitSalad'". *snicker snicker* Jonathan could not take his insult from his company, so he replied, "No, we're the team that finished our game."

OOOOoooOOOOOOO!!!! BURN!!! ~Everyone who attended the presentations.

that was a pretty sick burn and it was awesome. That guy basically shut up afterwards. My initial reaction was, YEAH TAKE THAT! but then i realize how harsh that could have hurt the unfinished team. insults firing back and forth. getting revenge on each other. it just never ends! eye for an eye and the whole world becomes blind! It reminds me of what I do sometimes. I like to get back at people when they did me wrong. when people make some mean comments at me, even if it was a joke, i like to "return the favor".

I would like to see myself stop the revenge thingy sometime. And I also would like to see myself be more thankful. And also be more forgiving. <----These are just for myself to note