Erik A
Game Designer
Advice
Resources I would recommend for those interested in getting into game development (books, tutorials, sites, etc)
Nerdbooks.com is a great source for grabbing reference and tutorial books for all game-related disciplines, from 2D digital art to engine programming. You can also go to their brick-and-mortar location here in Dallas to sit and read some of their books before you buy them.
Favorites
First game I remember playing
Kung Fu on my friend's Nintendo. Played it once, and I was instantly hooked. 20 years later, and the addiction is as strong as it ever was.
All-time favorite game
Skies of Arcadia for the Dreamcast by Sega's Sonic Team and Overworks. In the time where RPGs just kept getting more and more complex, here came along a streamlined, polished, simple RPG with tons of character, story, and a fully explorable world. It was supposed to hold us DC owners over until Grandia 2, but ended up surpassing it. Greatness.
Non-video gaming hobbies
Non-video games. Board games, pen-and-paper games, and such. The medium forces an exposure of game mechanics elements and concepts that can really help you develop an understanding of gaming at the low-level.
Favorite bands/music
Jonathan Coulton, MC Frontalot, Get Up Kids/New Amsterdams, Weakerthans, Less Than Jake, Reel Big Fish, Bosstones, Streetlight Manifesto, Silversun Pickups, Audio Karate, Murder by Death, System of a Down, Perfect Circle/Tool, Motion City Soundtrack
Favorite books/authors
The Song of Ice and Fire novels by George R.R. Martin, the Dexter novels by Jeff Lindsay, The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch, Rainbow Six by Tom Clancy and the Bourne novels from Robert Ludlum.
Favorite TV shows
Dexter, Battlestar Galactica, Life, Fringe, The Stewart/Colbert Hour, The Venture Bros, Family Guy, Harvey Birdman
Favorite movies
Superbad, Super Troopers, Spaceballs, Harold and Kumar, High Fidelity, Ghostbusters, The Monty Python trio, Sin City, 300, Spiderman, Layer Cake and pretty much anything directed by Martin Scorsese, Guy Ritchie, Christopher Nolan, or Darren Aronofsky.
Favorite quote
"I used to consider every morning I woke up and didn't gargle a round from a revolver to be a victory - but it's little golden moments like these that make me ask, 'A victory for whom?'" - Davan, www.somethingpositive.net
"I used to consider every morning I woke up and didn't gargle a round from a revolver to be a victory - but it's little golden moments like these that make me ask, 'A victory for whom?'" - Davan, www.somethingpositive.net