The Daily Davis

I recently purchased a Tell Tale Games pack on Steam and have been enjoying the Sam and Max episodes. I love adventure games, and would like to see many, many more. I am also quite impressed with the episodic game format that Tell Tale Games is running with, and think there is a lot of potential in there for other IPs. Needless to say, I was overjoyed to hear that they’re working on Back to the Future and Jurassic Park videogames.

So what other IPs would be right up Tale Tale’s alley, in my opinion? There are at least a few.

Futurama

Amongst all the IPs that I think could benefit best from the Tell Tale style of episodic game design, I feel that Futurama is THE perfect application of this model. Why is this? First, there are three excellent characters that could be playable throughout an episode. Bender, Fry, and Leela. Each one is a well developed character who would go about solving problems in their own unique way. Let’s not forget the amazing cast that would be great to interact with. Location-wise, you have the entire universe, but specific, key locations as well like the Planet Express ship, the Planet Express building, the decaying ruins of Old New York, and even the Supreme Court for a well done trial parody involving the Hyperchicken.

So Futurama is my number one pick for a Tell Tale game.

South Park

South Park is another TV show that would be a good fit for episodic gaming. It’d be a bit more crass and at least mature rated compared to prior Tell Tale offerings, but that wouldn’t be a big deal. You’ve got well defined characters and interesting locations. Just emulate the visual style of the show and you’ve got a damn fine game.

Sherlock Holmes

Public domain character with a huge background to draw from and a natural affinity for mysteries? I’d buy some episodes. Give him a contemporary styling similar to the recent movie and you’ve got a hit on your hands.

Cthulhu Mythos

This. Just. This. Slow placed creeping horror, collecting ancient tomes and going mad? Sounds good to me.

I really don’t. Perhaps I’m just not as cautious as most. The idea behind RealID is that is a way to communicate with friends across multiple blizzard games, and it requires your e-mail, and displays your real name to them. Much like facebook, it has a friend of friend feature where people on your friend’s list can see your name, but that’s it, and potentially add you. This makes so many people nervous, and I just don’t understand why.

I don’t mind people knowing my real name (David Davis), and my e-mail is not displayed in the friend list at all through WoW.

Can someone who is concerned by this RealID thing tell me what the big panic-point is?

Blizzard recently release some talent previews for some of the classes so far. The classes included Rogues, Druids, Priests, and Shamans. I decided to tinker around with what they have so far, basically modifying my existing builds with some of the new changes. Note that all of these are PVE, as I don’t PVP much.

First up is my combat rogue build. My build was all about getting a lot of energy and combo-points quickly to keep pressure on my target. My talent and glyph choices should correspond with that philosophy. The extra energy from Vigor and Glyph of Vigor just give me a larger pool to pull from.

The only problem I have had with the Combat tree so far is the amount of filler survivability talents I had to use, just to get to the next tier. I was able to knock it down to about 1 point in Steady Recuperation, but if at all possible, on the final builds I’d like something else to place that point into.

My philosophy as I DPS is to put out as much damage as consistently I can, while being a utility player. I made sure that my toolbox was fairly diverse, and put points into improved Kick because I always interrupt enemy casts whenever my Kick is available. As for survivability talents, I don’t hate all of them. For example, I put two points into Endurance because it’s a cooldown I use frequently, and it comes with a stamina bonus. I try to avoid those extra flat armor/health increases because I won’t take nearly as much damage as a DPS.

Overall, I enjoy some of the new changes. Stripping out the old weapon specialization talents absolutely thrilled me. I am definitely pleased I had plenty of points to head into the 3rd tier of Assassination as well. Overall, these are some welcome changes. I think this should make for a nice end-game Raid build. Too bad I don’t raid though.

Now? How about a Shaman? I don’t have an 80 Shaman yet, but that doesn’t mean I can’t mess with a build anyway! I’m thinking my Shaman is going to be a healer, ultimately. So how about I dive into restoration? My shaman experience is limited, so don’t expect a ton of analysis from me. Basically, I really wanted to take advantage of my totems and shields. I feel my build accomplishes this.

So, let’s go for a Bear Druid. I don’t play my druid much, and she’s only in her 20s. But I think I picked up all the important bear talents at least, right?

Lastly there is the priest. I prefer discipline, and was enjoying leveling my priest for a while, prior to discovering the awesomeness of warriors and mages. That being said, I freaking LOVE Power Word: Shield.

I can’t wait for Warrior/Paladin/Hunter/Mage trees, because that’s where I can really talk about these changes. Anyway, feel free tom chime in if you play WoW.

I miss this show so much.

A work in progress example for my few readers who remain.

AOD asked for a little girl and a giant sandwich.

Inkdoom asked for “Dash riding on a tauntaun.”

I hope all the requests are about my characters, haha.

About 5 or 6 years ago, I had applied for a job with Pixar as a story artist. Yes, that Pixar.

Well, I clearly didn’t get the job, but I did receive a callback, and I theorize that one of the factors that worked against me was that I was still in high school at the time.

Well, five years later, and some practical story and art experience under my belt (helloooooo Spongebob), I may be ready to try again. Seems that Pixar is looking for a story artist.

So, I am thinking I might submit an application. I believe I fit the mold of what they’re after. My responses are in bold.

The responsibilities of a story artist?

- Receive written and verbal descriptions of a sequence from the Director (or Head of Story).  Check.
- Create quick thumbnail sketches through to finished detailed storyboard panels. Do that all the time anyway.
- Perform background research to inform the story process.  Half of my stories are researched through various sources.
- Illustrate script pages and come up with story ideas.  Comics?
- Pitch storyboards to the Director and other members of the team.  I am energetic, and my original application included a video of me pitching a storyboard sequence.
- Work with Director and Head of Story to define staging, pacing and camera action. As adamant as I am about storytelling and camera techniques in comics, I believe I qualify.
- Come up with inventive ideas with a sense of entertainment and humor. I’ve been told I have a knack for physical comedy sequences in my work.
- Develop character personality and dramatic/comedic action. Do that in my comics.
- Draw storyboards for scenes assigned.  Check.
- Refine dialogue where needed. I am a writer, and I edit people’s work all the time. I try to write how people would speak.
- Revise, edit and modify sketches as needed, per Director’s notes. Revisions!

What are the qualifications they’re seeking?

- Practical knowledge of cinematic language, acting and staging.  Bingo.
- Strong storytelling abilities that feature character, emotion and movement. Some of my Dash stuff definitely can fit under here.
- Strong understanding of the principles of animation; emotion, acting, movement is required.  I love animation and cinema, and have studied them.
- Ability to analyze scenes in written form and translate into visual product. Script to drawn panels.
- Ability to express story and character through drawings. I think I do that well.
- Ability to invent action and express it through drawing. See previous statement.
- Ability to present work in a clear and entertaining way.  I polish my work fairly well.
- Ability to work collaboratively. I love collabs.
- Ability to work under pressure, in a fast paced, deadline driven environment. Were they watching me during the last few weeks of any of my college classes?
- Must be open to direction and able to embrace change.  Yo.
- Experience with Photoshop and Wacom Cintiq drawing tablet helpful. Work with tablets all the time.

As you can see, I believe I am in good shape to apply here. So maybe I should focus on getting this together on the weekend? If you don’t agree, please tell me why. And if you think I should go for it, please let me know. I’ll go for it anyway, but some cheering on will really amp up my work.

Here are some rather old screenshots of my Paladin. I think I may take more with my other characters as well.

Taken during Lovefest 2010.

I actually have Rhimefang’s claw now, though sometimes I miss the ol’ gnomish saw.

I got so smashed during the lunar festival, this was taken during one of my rare, sober moments in Moonglade.

MOAR COOLDOWNS!!11