Peregrination, Sessions

Note: This is a post of no particular value to anyone. In other words, it's truly a "blog" post. As such, I've decided not to show it on the front page. Read if you've got 5min you need to kill.

Sometimes I loose track of my own personal history. I don't know if that's something common to most people, or particular to me. I was reminded of something just now while reading a post by Foomer, in a discussion on the developer forum. A large part of that thread focuses on the need for developers to find others willing to work for them, because programmers can't make graphics and artists can't program. The problem lies in the fact that each developer (programmer or artist) is working on their own game, and wants to get someone to work for them, not the other way around. This is a giant issue on BYOND. The good news? Don't look at me, this isn't a post about how to save BYOND, this is me talking about myself, so let's get back on track. Foomer wrote:

You may be bitter about it, but its not true. So not everyone has a talent for programming. Just because someone isn't good at something doesn't mean they can't do it. Look at Theodis. He's an awesome programmer, very talented in that aspect. Can't draw worth beans. He makes stick figures. Does this stop him from making games? No, he makes his games stick figures and all. The reverse is also true. Someone may not be good at programming, but that doesn't stop them from being able to do it. You can get away with a poorly-coded game with awesome design or graphics just as well as you can a very well-coded game with really sad graphics. (Design isn't really optional. A poorly designed game will suck no matter what.)

This got me thinking. People generally consider me to be a good programmer. I'm not. I'm a diligent programmer and I've worked for a very long time to learn the craft, but I don't have any special flair for it like some people do.

People generally consider me to be a good artist, too. In fact, a little while ago when I was hiring myself out as a programmer, several people approached me to do graphic work instead. I've never considered myself a graphic artist, though. My three siblings in art school are the artists, I just make "programmers art" to make my games more lively. Granted, I've spent years honing the craft and picking up techniques, but I have no innate flair for it. I simulate flair by throwing time at something.

So, yeah, by being diligent and spending a lot of time I can create good graphics and good code, but I'm not primarily a graphic artist or a programmer. I'm a game designer, it's an art as complex and noble as any other. I have been one ever since I can remember, and that's also why I'm on BYOND. I just forget that sometimes, like this week as I've been spending every free moment doing graphics for Regressia.