I can feel the hair standing up on the back of Jamie’s neck. Image.
Specific
I will learn to code for Unreal projects using C++ so that I can write more efficient and powerful games which will lead to more opportunities for my games to be successful and for my skill to be employed by others. I will do this by the end of this year, 2019. I will be focused an this narrow flavour of C++ for at least 7 hours per week. Its worth mentioning here that although that amount of time seems small in comparison to the task, there is another 7 hours dedicated to a C++ course and once that is complete, would be rolled into this goal.
Measurable
I will know that this is complete when I am performing only the necessary tasks in Unreal’s scripting language, Blueprint. All of my game logic should be in C++. I intend to complete small game projects similar to the Battery Collector tutorial. I will be following this goal with other smaller goals soon.
Achievable
This is achievable because I already have a good grasp on C++ and can quickly find solutions to most to the problems that I encounter. A similar skill I have learned is Unreal’s Blueprint scripting language and I have been able to demonstrate a high level of understanding about how this system works. C++ feels like the natural extension of this skill. I am aiming to have a high level of skill in this area but I appreciate that its something that will take a long time to acquire. I intend to compose other, smaller SMART goals that can combine to allow me to complete this overarching one. I need to make sure that I am learning good design practices so that I can write my own, effective code.
Relevant
This goal is relevant because Unreal is a very popular game engine and is one that I would like to be highly skilled with. Its well known that to get the most from the engine, C++ is required. The goal is also relevant because C++ is an industry standard in game and software development in general and is not something very narrow, created by Epic that could only be used with the engine. I am the right person for this task as I have shown an aptitude already for creating game logic with Blueprint. In the future I will need this skill because I want to make my own games and failing that, I want to be employable as a competent developer. This is the right time for this goal as I am experiencing limitations in Unreal that could be solved using C++. I also have the time to dedicate to learning about this for the rest of this year.
Time Bound
This goal is quite general in the sense that I know that learning something with this much complexity and opportunity to improve is never really ‘achieved’ and is more accurately described as a mile stone on the journey of continuous development. Because of this I am focusing on the time that I know I have in which to learn enough to be employable, which is the end of the year, 2019. I intend to create other, smaller goals that feed into this one. These will be project or feature based.
Hello, my name is Mike. I am an aspiring game developer enjoying a second chance at life. Sounds deep right? I know, but its true. I am from London and from 2007 I owned a clothing business selling Barbour, Hunter, Joules and so on. I didn't like it. I kind of fell into it and by the time I knew I didn't like it I was committed and needed to follow through. In 2009 I met Natalie, my Cornish maid and once our little girl came along in 2015, we decided that Cornwall would be a better life for her than London. In the meantime, the business had suffered tremendous difficulty having been burgled twice. Insurance? What can I say. I ended up suing (and winning) the broker for selling me an incomplete policy. It was hard. When I arrived in Cornwall having shut the business down and generally being in pretty poor health, stressed and disappointed, my Wife (whom I would need exist without) tried to talk me into having 3 months off! Ha, I said, I would go crazy. Well the question was 'what are you going to do then'?
Turned out that I had a HND (most of a Degree) that qualified me for the course Games Design For Industry BA Top Up. I had always wanted to make video games for a living and so I applied, got on the course, worked like my life depended on it and came out with a 1st. If you're thinking 'why d'you have to say it like that and tell us the grade you loser'? Here's the thing, that HND was supposed to be a Degree in Computer Graphics and Games but, in my youthful wisdom, I played games more than studied them and failed. Then I went back to do the last year again and just couldn't hit my stride, so failed again. Imagine getting another chance to sort that mistake out... That was not going to happen again.
Having completed that course I and a friend I met there, Ethan, have set up Sofa Ninja Studios and are working on a game that was born on the course called Serial Link. I am very proud of where we are and I cannot believe that I have the chance to do this for real. We have a playable demo and will hopefully run a kickstarter early this year. Its a mature (code for violence and swearing) shooter where the player gets to shoot and use powers gifted to him.
Have a look at one of the latest videos although there has already been more development. I did warn you about the content...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qv9R5ktCiA0&t=46sLinks to an external site.
I took to the game design and logic (cant call it coding, its Unreal blueprinting right now...) very well and feel that this is where I am meant to be. I am learning C++ and would like to make the transition to 'proper coder' this year if I can. Being in business for myself taught me the value of self discipline and being intrinsically motivated and so I carry those lessons with me into my new career. With my beautiful family behind me, Im ready.
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