I have tackling the SMART goal for learning UML this morning and you can find that here. The problem that I am facing is that I need to be able to record my thoughts and ideas about how my software fits together. The need for this was highlighted is my game jam catastrophe! I think that the problem came about because when people (generally) talk about learning the code, they talk about learning a language and thats kind of the end of it. Well, I suppose that’s the beginning of it really and then once a person has a enough skill to get themselves in trouble with twisted logic and terrible dependencies, they go looking for a way to think more clearly. Well, thats where I am right now.
I have decided on two goals that I have discussed already (UML and Design Patterns) that should really help me with that problem. I am now learning the UML symbols and the various diagrams before I attempt to use it for my own designs. I expect that I will be able to sit with a pencil and some paper and put some of the thoughts that I have about how things should fit together on paper, which I hope would expose any poor or uninformed thinking at that stage rather that 20 hours into building something.
The next task that I have set for myself is to create some flash cards to make learning the names of all the elements of the ‘language’ a little easier and more thorough. From there, I will watch another tutorial that seems a touch more up to date, just to get a feel for the common things that the two presenters say, which will help me hone in on the things that are understood to be ‘standard’.
I think that this goal is progressing as expected really. I knew it would take a little while to learn and the terminology and the symbols and then there is learning how to think properly in the first place. Just because I learn some UML, I not equating that to automatically cleaning up how I think about dependencies and activities but it should be a good start. I may look at modelling the existing approaches that I am taking in Serial Link, just to see what sort of hot mess the diagram is once I’m done…
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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Chronicles of a Sofa Ninja 