Pacman, Mario, Tetris, Street Fighter 2, the basketball machine at the arcade.... the list goes on and on. And in terms of impact, it's safe to say that there's a lot more to games than starcraft, doom and half-life for inspiration.
Edit: oh yeah, and to steer this back on topic, I'm still not entirely what it is, but for damn sure as long as its the games industry for me, I'm happy. Currently focusing on 3d, but QA is a possibility.
You just made his point... All of those are older than ten years old. Name one from the last two years that will be like that. Its WAY harder to make something these days that stands above the crowd and shines for the long haul. That truly is a lofty goal!
Counter Strike source
Portal
HalfLife2 Episode1, 2
Prince of Persia 3
Prince of Persia 4
God of War 2
Fable 2
Dark Sider
There
Edit: COD series, Resistance series, Halo war, Tiberium wars, Guildwars, Guildwars Factions, Guildwars Nightfall, Guildwars Eye of the north, AION, CABAL, ROHAN, Requiem bloodymare and many more.
Edit2: Refering to world of warcraft. It is the worst game I've ever seen yet it is the most populer game in the entire world why? because it keeps on providing same thing over and over again to keep people busy with the concept of online multiplaying. And people practically want the same stuff over and over again. SO whatever game have those 2 major instances of the game's success (even with the runescape graphics) it will last pretty much forever.....
Ah, foot in mouth have i. My bad for not reading entirely ><
RPGs in general last a good term as well, because I feel it really comes down to personal preference, I know I still play oblivion. The only widely played games that have come out in the past five years would be mostly competitive games. Do MMOs count? because Asia has a ton of MMOs that people still play and aren't too old.
For the past six/seven years in this industry I have yet to make a good game. Where all the pieces come together and survive the zeros and ones of code and tech, and the result being a fun and rewarding experience. That's my goal in any position as long as its art.
Ah I see what your saying now. Well its hard to compare Books, Movies and games like that. Many books are still read that were written hundreads and in some cases thousands of years ago. The film industry is only roughly 100 years old atp, and the games industry much younger still.
A thousand years from now will people still be playing Starcraft? Probably not, but I believe games like that will leave a legacy behind as the forbearers of our medium. Right now the games industry is still in its infancy, and in the greater scheme of things will remain as such probably for the rest of our lives. Thats not to say their wont be many advances, its just this field is so heavily linked to our ever advancing technology that its form will be shifting for hundreads of years to come, and will at some point become unrecognizable as simply 'games'.
Books are a self contained medium, and because of that they can become 'classics' in the way that your defining them. But outside of pre-existing self contained mediums like that or ones in the future that we have yet to fathom, the term 'classic' has to be interpreted more loosley else it lose its relavancy in the modern era.
You just made his point... All of those are older than ten years old. Name one from the last two years that will be like that. Its WAY harder to make something these days that stands above the crowd and shines for the long haul. That truly is a lofty goal!
Yep, with so many platforms and so many games its hard to stand out for more than a week. Back when the industry moved at the speed of printed publications everyone would be playing the same game for months, even cracking it open and seeing what made it tick, now its:
"what hot release are you playing this weekend?"
"Tough call, not sure, there's 3 that came out this week."
"Yea and a bunch of DLC popped up too."
"Oh and there's a handful of XBLA games I need to check out."
The whole industry has a case of ADHD, mixed with MPD. Gamers seem to devour the games in one sitting not really playing to enjoy it but to get the achievements so they stay current with their buddies. Then rush them back to the store to cash in.
It's getting easier and easier to just pass on "the hottest game" because it will be off the radar before you get a chance to finish it, much less enjoy it.
First goal is to contuously do art every day for 1 year. up till now I havn't been able to get that down.
Next goal. break into the industry.
Final goal would be to eventually own or co-own a smallish game company of maybe 5-10 people where we could make smallish xbox live type games where the focus would be mainly on doing something new and interesting and not trying to remake the success of games like gta or CoD. Something were i can actually do more than just art.
Seriously the hardest part of the game industry for me is that i'm interested in almost all job positions. env art, character art, animation, sound, game design, scripting.
My first goal was to break into the industry. I had the chance and landed a job at Blizzard doing customer support. From there I worked up the company ranks to where I currently am. Blizzard is a very comfy company to work for. I am not sure as to if I will stay here until they give me the boot, or explore other options at other companies. I started off doing environment art, then moved to the prop team, and now I'm doing fx animation. I've branched out tons and still don't know which direction I would like to go in. Ultimately I think I would like to be an fx lead or art director on a project. On the side I do like to teach, and will continue to do so
To make interactive artwork to show in galleries. Day to day to pay the bills. Open or work a non-profit game studio focused on creating games for non-profit organizations.
I'd like to get some significant art asset creation experience under my belt, before making the transition to a more design-based role, actually conceiving gameplay mechanics and such.
After that, retire to the wilds of New Hampshire or Vermont and spend my days fishing and sipping Jim Beam on the porch, under the stars....
Finding passion for a subject, getting things right, learning things proper and just working my way up to a well paid position is my goal.
The dream is of course to properly get game designs and ideas into reality. But that's years off/probably not going to happen.
be a part of something meaningful and impactful, something that will resonate with people for years to come.
I really liked that, but when I think about how I could achieve something like that... the game industry is defiantly not in mind (for me personally that is).
Short term goal (10 years) would be to hopefully get a job in the industry, meet and work with some great / talented people that I will hopefully learn a lot from, and from there... baah who knows man.
If everything went perfectly to plan (waah) I'd honestly love to work my way into music once again, get a band going and just do that kinda thing... but I think realistically, probably wouldn't be a great idea if I were to have a family etc.
Bottom line... I just wanna be happy and enjoy what I am doing, and be surrounded by freiendly / talented people who constantly push me. That sounds quite good
Do some time at a place like FigurePrints in Vancouver. Even if the pay is probably same as working in a McD. Planning to take an airbrush workshop in the fall to help my "dream" come true. Wonder if they need to use some 3d app like Solidworks for their printers.
A close second would be landing a job where they don't mind if you sleep in till 6pm cuz you're so obsessed with the work you push your sleeping hours every night! But when I think about it, the only reason you'd be this jazzed about your work is if you were working on a project that you had 100% autonomy on, so it goes!
Get my foot in the door, stab the guy on the other side with my blade of art, then rush in...
to put it simply...
Don't stick a knife in your trench mate because you like his boots. That's the fast track to ending up on the wrong end of a "accidental" friendly fire incident.
Impress them with your work ethic and your skill. Win any open positions that might pop up by being the best possible addition to the team, not an impromptu replacement. Artists get screwed over enough in this business no other artists want to work with someone looking to make a name for himself that way.
It will be a very lonely, short career if that's how you plan to climb the ladder.
I want to make super awesome characters for a super awesome game, laying down in a hammock, on a sandy beach in Aruba, being fanned by an islander in a coconut bikini, while sipping a pina colada.
they ready for you jaq
hmm i would like to make a decent living sitting in a hole making art for a game that i like. i dont want any stress of leadership, or crazy over time.
Continued happiness with the wife, family, and friends I've been fortunate enough to meet along the way.
Continued artistic growth.
Transition from full time vehicles and weapons into full time character artwork.
Longer term. To have accomplished or created one thing that when reflecting back upon my life makes me say "That's my contribution to the world while I was there, and I wouldn't change a thing".
I decided to give up on working full time in a studio and stick with freelancing. I really enjoy it.
I never wanted to be an Art Director. I just enjoy being in at the deep end doing the modelling and texturing.
My other ambition is to actually produce some original looking characters and try my best to develop basic concepting skills.
oh that and being rich enough to wear underpants made from money.
The Stories.
For me it's always been about the stories.
Be it videogames, drawing, modeling or playing music. Everything I get better in is to help me tell stories someday. The kind of stories, that suggest you to think. The kind of music that helps you see yourself the way you are. The kind of games, that, after players put down the controller, they don't think "that was nice and now I gotta get laid", but rather "when was the last time I called my mum and told her how much I love her?Maybe I should do that right now", "maybe I've should've treated this person better", "my lies have led me to the point that I'm at", "I can make myslef a happier person" and so on...
I don't like the idea of self perfection for the sake of selfperfection. Any kind of skill could be put to a "better" use, rahter than "any" use, that pays. And what is "better" is for you to decide.
I don't mean to sound like a jerk and I know, that there nothing but great guys and gals here, but I couldn't resist asking: Doesn't it bother you, that most of the goals we expressed here are so...common? Choose any other industry and you'll get absolutely the same answers. Promotion, be the boss, live comfortably, have enough money. It just seems, that life doesn't live us much choice here, heh?
I always took pride in knowing, that videogame industry is somewhat special, and it takes a lot of love for your job and dedication, to get in and keep afloat. It takes a dream I'd even say.
But It just might seem, that dreams come to the same things that people achieve, when their dream lies somewhere outside their career path, or even when they have none.
I'm sorry if I did sound like a jerk and I mean no disrespect for no one. Your own personal happiness is the only thing that will ever be important, so there's no need to take my words personal. It just something I found worth thinking out loud about...
I think I wanna be an art director some day. Guiding and assisting people is something I like doing, I'd like to take it more towards that instead of always crunching away at models.
D1ver: I get what you mean man, but hmm, over the years I sorta learned I should care more about myself, be more confident and be more proud of myself. It's really made me a happier person compared to 5 years ago. And I'm not some selfish prick, anybody who knows me can confirm that (heck, even you guys with all the tuts and tools I do ).
What use is making the world better or happier if you just sit in a dark room making games and never talk to people or grant yourself any favors?
Xoliul, thanks for the reply, man. Yeah I totally see your point and can't disagree. And I'm more then sure you're not selfish.)
And I can clearly see myself heading in your direction...I guess I'll just have to bump my head into stuff a bit more to completely adapt your point of view...XD
Doesn't it bother you, that most of the goals we expressed here are so...common? Choose any other industry and you'll get absolutely the same answers. Promotion, be the boss, live comfortably, have enough money. It just seems, that life doesn't live us much choice here, heh?
interesting ideas diver, I think the thread asked what is your goal CAREER wise so we are just answering honestly. If the thread had asked "what is your motivation?" or "what do you think your purpose in life is?" Im sure some of the responses would be subtly different if not completely different.
Replies
Edit: oh yeah, and to steer this back on topic, I'm still not entirely what it is, but for damn sure as long as its the games industry for me, I'm happy. Currently focusing on 3d, but QA is a possibility.
Warcraft3 TFT Dota allstar.
CounterStrike.
BattleField.
There are many more games that came out 5 years ago that ARE still widely played today with much enthusiasm.
Ya, besides wow.
Portal
HalfLife2 Episode1, 2
Prince of Persia 3
Prince of Persia 4
God of War 2
Fable 2
Dark Sider
There
Edit: COD series, Resistance series, Halo war, Tiberium wars, Guildwars, Guildwars Factions, Guildwars Nightfall, Guildwars Eye of the north, AION, CABAL, ROHAN, Requiem bloodymare and many more.
Edit2: Refering to world of warcraft. It is the worst game I've ever seen yet it is the most populer game in the entire world why? because it keeps on providing same thing over and over again to keep people busy with the concept of online multiplaying. And people practically want the same stuff over and over again. SO whatever game have those 2 major instances of the game's success (even with the runescape graphics) it will last pretty much forever.....
RPGs in general last a good term as well, because I feel it really comes down to personal preference, I know I still play oblivion. The only widely played games that have come out in the past five years would be mostly competitive games. Do MMOs count? because Asia has a ton of MMOs that people still play and aren't too old.
Otherwise make a porn game.
A thousand years from now will people still be playing Starcraft? Probably not, but I believe games like that will leave a legacy behind as the forbearers of our medium. Right now the games industry is still in its infancy, and in the greater scheme of things will remain as such probably for the rest of our lives. Thats not to say their wont be many advances, its just this field is so heavily linked to our ever advancing technology that its form will be shifting for hundreads of years to come, and will at some point become unrecognizable as simply 'games'.
Books are a self contained medium, and because of that they can become 'classics' in the way that your defining them. But outside of pre-existing self contained mediums like that or ones in the future that we have yet to fathom, the term 'classic' has to be interpreted more loosley else it lose its relavancy in the modern era.
But now we're going completly off topic
"what hot release are you playing this weekend?"
"Tough call, not sure, there's 3 that came out this week."
"Yea and a bunch of DLC popped up too."
"Oh and there's a handful of XBLA games I need to check out."
The whole industry has a case of ADHD, mixed with MPD. Gamers seem to devour the games in one sitting not really playing to enjoy it but to get the achievements so they stay current with their buddies. Then rush them back to the store to cash in.
It's getting easier and easier to just pass on "the hottest game" because it will be off the radar before you get a chance to finish it, much less enjoy it.
Next goal. break into the industry.
Final goal would be to eventually own or co-own a smallish game company of maybe 5-10 people where we could make smallish xbox live type games where the focus would be mainly on doing something new and interesting and not trying to remake the success of games like gta or CoD. Something were i can actually do more than just art.
Seriously the hardest part of the game industry for me is that i'm interested in almost all job positions. env art, character art, animation, sound, game design, scripting.
Second goal: become a surgeon;
Third goal?... don't know yet
Final goal: retire at a decent age, with some money saved and a big family. Open some restaurant or pub to spend my time...
G4C
http://www.gamesforchange.org/
After that, retire to the wilds of New Hampshire or Vermont and spend my days fishing and sipping Jim Beam on the porch, under the stars....
The dream is of course to properly get game designs and ideas into reality. But that's years off/probably not going to happen.
to put it simply...
Ditto
and make something as insanely replayable as the original xcom
I really liked that, but when I think about how I could achieve something like that... the game industry is defiantly not in mind (for me personally that is).
Short term goal (10 years) would be to hopefully get a job in the industry, meet and work with some great / talented people that I will hopefully learn a lot from, and from there... baah who knows man.
If everything went perfectly to plan (waah) I'd honestly love to work my way into music once again, get a band going and just do that kinda thing... but I think realistically, probably wouldn't be a great idea if I were to have a family etc.
Bottom line... I just wanna be happy and enjoy what I am doing, and be surrounded by freiendly / talented people who constantly push me. That sounds quite good
[ame]
Sounds good to me.
A close second would be landing a job where they don't mind if you sleep in till 6pm cuz you're so obsessed with the work you push your sleeping hours every night! But when I think about it, the only reason you'd be this jazzed about your work is if you were working on a project that you had 100% autonomy on, so it goes!
but seriously.
I eventually want to direct my own animation shorts/features.... (with a rather large budget and crew behind me)
Or do what I love doing, constantly learn and improve, work with great tallented individuals and a smoken hot wife.
But in all seriousness I just want to gain enough money so I can buy metal legs.
Impress them with your work ethic and your skill. Win any open positions that might pop up by being the best possible addition to the team, not an impromptu replacement. Artists get screwed over enough in this business no other artists want to work with someone looking to make a name for himself that way.
It will be a very lonely, short career if that's how you plan to climb the ladder.
Yes!
I don't want that, I wanna be able to say I enjoy my job.
hmm i would like to make a decent living sitting in a hole making art for a game that i like. i dont want any stress of leadership, or crazy over time.
Maybe JacqueChoi would prefer the self-serve rig instead.
^_^
Continued artistic growth.
Transition from full time vehicles and weapons into full time character artwork.
Longer term. To have accomplished or created one thing that when reflecting back upon my life makes me say "That's my contribution to the world while I was there, and I wouldn't change a thing".
I never wanted to be an Art Director. I just enjoy being in at the deep end doing the modelling and texturing.
My other ambition is to actually produce some original looking characters and try my best to develop basic concepting skills.
oh that and being rich enough to wear underpants made from money.
For me it's always been about the stories.
Be it videogames, drawing, modeling or playing music. Everything I get better in is to help me tell stories someday. The kind of stories, that suggest you to think. The kind of music that helps you see yourself the way you are. The kind of games, that, after players put down the controller, they don't think "that was nice and now I gotta get laid", but rather "when was the last time I called my mum and told her how much I love her?Maybe I should do that right now", "maybe I've should've treated this person better", "my lies have led me to the point that I'm at", "I can make myslef a happier person" and so on...
I don't like the idea of self perfection for the sake of selfperfection. Any kind of skill could be put to a "better" use, rahter than "any" use, that pays. And what is "better" is for you to decide.
I don't mean to sound like a jerk and I know, that there nothing but great guys and gals here, but I couldn't resist asking: Doesn't it bother you, that most of the goals we expressed here are so...common? Choose any other industry and you'll get absolutely the same answers. Promotion, be the boss, live comfortably, have enough money. It just seems, that life doesn't live us much choice here, heh?
I always took pride in knowing, that videogame industry is somewhat special, and it takes a lot of love for your job and dedication, to get in and keep afloat. It takes a dream I'd even say.
But It just might seem, that dreams come to the same things that people achieve, when their dream lies somewhere outside their career path, or even when they have none.
I'm sorry if I did sound like a jerk and I mean no disrespect for no one. Your own personal happiness is the only thing that will ever be important, so there's no need to take my words personal. It just something I found worth thinking out loud about...
D1ver: I get what you mean man, but hmm, over the years I sorta learned I should care more about myself, be more confident and be more proud of myself. It's really made me a happier person compared to 5 years ago. And I'm not some selfish prick, anybody who knows me can confirm that (heck, even you guys with all the tuts and tools I do
What use is making the world better or happier if you just sit in a dark room making games and never talk to people or grant yourself any favors?
And I can clearly see myself heading in your direction...I guess I'll just have to bump my head into stuff a bit more to completely adapt your point of view...XD
interesting ideas diver, I think the thread asked what is your goal CAREER wise so we are just answering honestly. If the thread had asked "what is your motivation?" or "what do you think your purpose in life is?" Im sure some of the responses would be subtly different if not completely different.
Second that.