Christian Allen's Corner

Tim Schafer got me thinking...

So I was reading Kotaku's article on Brutal Legend's achievements, including the "Six Degrees of Schafer" achievement, another example of a viral achievement, and I got to thinking...doing a bit of research, it looks like I am actually the first person to have ever had a viral achievement on Xbox Live.

According to OXM, Small Arms came out on Nov. 20th, 2006.  We launched the TU with the Assassin Achievement on October 20th, but I waited until November 14th to log on (the Achievement was hardcoded to unlock on my gamertag when it was live and I logged in).  So I guess that makes me the first "recipient" of a viral achievment.  I guess I can list that among my achievements next to my "Worst Achievement Ever" award for GRAW's World Champion (I know, I know, it was a fucking stupid thing to do).

Interestingly, the first people I played with early in the morning at RSE were in France, so the second person in the world to have a viral achievement was French... :)

Back to your regular programming.

Winds of change...

It’s been quite a while since I posted anything substantive here, so I do have a few updates.  First off, I am excited to have accepted a position at WB Games as Lead Game Designer.  WB Games has made huge strides in expanding their dedication to AAA game titles, and I’m pleased to take the design helm of one of these unannounced titles.  I am supremely confident that the crew at Bungie will continue to kick ass on Halo: Reach. It was an honor to work on a great title with some of the most talented folks in the industry; Reach will be fucking awesome.

I’m also happy that I have been accepted as a speaker at this year’s GDC Austin Game Writers Summit in September, as part of a debate on the role of narrative vs. gameplay during game development.  Should be exciting, and it means I don’t have to put together a Powerpoint this year!

That is all, carry on.

Thesaurus FAIL

So I got this ad in my email the other day.  Made me chuckle.  Oh, and I lied, I didn't take any GDC pictures, forget the camera in my room every day.  Oh well, next year.

Volcanoes, Travel, and other news...

So the last time Mt. Redoubt seriously blew it's lid, I was pretty oblivious to the fact.  All I knew is that the plane that was supposed to be picking me up off of a remote island in the Gulf of Alaska, where I had been deer hunting for a week, didn't show up.  Four days after I was supposed to be picked up (lucky we got a deer!), the bush plane finally landed, and I was flown back to my now ash-covered home.

So today, as Mt. Redoubt spews more ash and suet over my friends and family back home in Alaska, I am have a little trepidation about getting on a plane at zero-dark-thirty tomorrow morning.  But I guess it's a small comfort that I am flying south, down to San Francisco for GDC 2009.  Should be a fun conference this year, can't wait to see the regulars, hit the parties, and check out the buzz.  I will post some pics when I get back.

In other news...there is some other news.  More news on that news will be along sometime soon. 

Oh, and shut up about AIG.  You gave them billions of dollars.  Deal with it.

No, I'm not working on Halo 3: Recon. But thanks for all the fish.

Well, folks, the rumors have been fun.  I worked on Ghost Recon.  I am a former Marine.  The new Halo expansion is called Halo 3: Recon.  It features a Marine ODST.  Inevitable conclusion?  Sorry, Luke and Brian have put it to rest when 1UP went straight up:

   

1UP: Is former Ghost Recon creative director Christian Allen even working on this game?

Luke Smith: Christian Allen is not on this project.

Brian Jarrard: There really was no -- the only implication from "Ghost Recon" was us being like "Hmm, damn, I wonder if this is going to be too much of a problem to actually call this game 'Recon,'" and Microsoft did all of the trademark and legal stuff just to make sure everything is cool.

News of my contribution has been greatly exaggerated.  Check back in the futuretime for more from me.

So you want to be a game developer...

"I'm a senior high school student with a dream, a dream to create video games. I've always loved video games since I was really little, but lets be obvious here, who hasn't? I always have ideas of making a video game knowing that it could possibly be legit, because I am however, one of the hundreds of millions kid that play video games--so I can relate. The problem is that I am empty minded on what is out there that has great programs for video game designing/developing. I would love to go for my Bachelors degree in that profession, I don't know if colleges have a masters program for that, hopefully I'm wrong. I just want to know from you, a very experienced talented designer, recommend what college I should apply for and why? I currently live in PA state, and I'm thinking of going far off into Florida attending FullSail. I heard from TEACHERS it's a good school for that, and they could be right. However, I want to know from an experienced person like yourself with answers." -Alex

 

Howdy,

This is a great question, and one I get quite a lot.  In fact, I think I will post your question and my answer onto my blog so that I can refer to it in the future.

It is awesome that you are looking to get into the game industry, and it is a great goal coming out of high school.  As far as how you should proceed in further education, my advice will differ a bit from the path that I took into the industry.

There are a bunch of colleges out there that offer game-focused degree programs.  In fact, I hold one of those degrees from The Art Institutes.  I started at AI back when it was one of the few game-focused Bachelors programs, and in fact I got hired before I completed my degree, based on my mod work.  It was only after I was working in the industry before I went back and completed my B.S. with AI in Game Art & Design.  Also, I had a good work background with the government and the military when I decided to move into game development.

But for the folks graduating high school now who want to go into games, I would recommend a different path than I took.  First, educate yourself.  Check out sites like igda.org, gamecareereguide.com, and gamastutra.com and get an idea of the industry and the types of jobs available.

Next, go to college.  I am lucky and backwards in that the game industry actually drove me to my B.S. degree, I probably wouldn’t have gotten one if it wasn’t for games.  You should go to college no matter what, just to have the background.  Go to your local university or college (or community college and then state uni); just get your 4 year degree.  As for what you study, you choose.  Art, Psychology, Sociology, Business, English, History, Comp Sci, Physics, etc.  All of these fields can contribute to your skills as a game developer.  I recommend going for a more general bachelors degree rather than a game-focused degree program.  That way if you decide in the three-four years during your program that you don’t like game development, you have a backup to take to other careers.  Again, my degree is in Game Art & Design, so I am telling you to do something different than I have done.  However, if it comes down to a choice between a game-focused degree and NO degree, get the degree.  A degree can be important in the industry, especially if you want to work abroad.  It’s often hard to get a work visa in other countries if you don’t have a degree.

Next step, if you haven’t already started (and you should have already) is starting to make mods for games.  Get a widely modded PC game (such as Unreal Tournament, Half Life 2, Doom 3, Crysis) and start making mods.  Create your own levels, weapons, total conversion mods.  Look on the web for mod teams that need help.  If you have new ideas, figure out how to do them yourself.  Even if it isn’t the best looking thing in the world, push your idea; go out and find artists to join your group.  Think about the fact that Counterstrike was a Half Life 2 Mod, and that Portal was built on Half Life 2, while Bioshock was built on Unreal 3.  What can you do to push an existing moddable engine to a new level?  Think outside the box. 

So, while you are getting your solid degree in a field you are interested in, you are making kick ass mods.  You are working with mod groups and distributing your work, and getting feedback, and improving.  You are also deciding what field within game development you want to work in.  Do you want to be an artist, an engineer, a designer, a producer?  You should KNOW, within a few years through your work in making mods and working with your mod teams.  Are you best at directing people to get things done?  Do you like writing detailed specs and weathering criticisms while refining your script to get the most out of the engine?  Do you enjoy reiterating over and over to make sure that a piece of geometry is the most beautiful it can be within a given budget? Do you like to code code code? Know what you want to do in the industry before you jump into the job market. 

By the end of your four year degree, you will have some awesome mod projects to build into a portfolio, and you will be focused on what you really want to do in the industry.  If you choose, you can go on to get Masters level degrees in games from the various MA schools.  Once you choose your direction, you must then...continue to kick ass.

Ass kicking is essential.  The game industry is not for the meek.  Crush your enemies; see them driven before you; and hear the lamentation of the competition.

McDonald's Warns Kids About Video Games...

So a few days ago I stopped in at McDonald's, at my daughter’s insistence to get her some chicken mcnuggets.  She got her happy meal with chicken mcnuggets, apples, and milk.

What cracked me up was the “warning” on the side of the happy meal.  The Happy Meal was sponsored by the Lego Batman video game, so of course the socially responsible McDonald's had to have a message to warn kids about the dangers of video games.  They say “Take a break from your video games and toys  to jump, run, and play outside.”

I didn’t see any messages that said “Don’t eat the fries here.” Or “Take a break from your junk food and only eat here once a month.” This in fact, is about how often my daughter eats there.

It just cracks me up that an organization such as McDonald's, so known for their socially responsibility in promoting health (lol) has accepted sponsorship/money from video games but still feels the need to inform youngsters on the dangers of playing video games.  Way to send a positive message, it definitely doesn’t come across as corporate CYA. 

 

What is a Hardcore Gamer?

I just finished reading an interview with Sam Houser, co-founder of Rockstar.  In the interview, he was asked about casual gamers, and if the “rise” of casual gamers had an impact on the design of GTA IV.

The article brought to mind an argument I’ve had quite a few times.  What is a hardcore gamer?  Publishers often refer to the difference between hardcore  and casual players.  Often times, they draw the line between franchise fans and others.  According to this approach, a “hardcore” player is one has been a player of the franchise for years, and will likely buy the next version, play the hell out of it, and then complain about it on a forum.  The “casual” player in this context is someone who may rent or try the franchise title.

Another definition is based on time played.  Many demographics break up players this way; say 10 hours or more a week played is “Hardcore.”  The player who plays less is deemed “Casual.”  This is a shaky definition, as comparing the player who spends 12 hours a week on Pogo.com to the player who plays an hour a night playing original Everquest on his PC is a risky proposition.

Lastly, industry folks may look at the type of game they play.  People who are rocking Guitar Hero might be considered “Casual,” while those who delve into Armed Assault would be considered Hardcore.  And while I’m sure those who regularly enjoy Armed Assault would agree with this proposition, is it in fact the case?

First off, I don’t have an answer.  I can’t say if the player who spends two hours of her Saturday night playing Counterstrike is more hardcore than the player who spends three hours every day after work ramping up his Sims character.  Maybe the answer is that it doesn’t matter.  Sure, publishers want to target demographics, and the same demographics that play IL2: Sturmovik aren’t the same ones who play Brain Age (maybe).  But as designers can we really split our games up into demographics?  I don’t think so. 

We were all in a category that would have been listed as “non-gamers” at one point.  I kind of laugh when people bring up to me that first time gamers need simple games.  The very first computer games I played on my dad’s Apple IIc (yes, I got an Apple before an Atari, because that was a business machine!) were F-15 Strike Eagle and Dreadnoughts, a WWII battleship simulator.  I think I was about 7 when I started down that road.  By today’s standards, they are totally NOT entry level games.

Today, there seems to be this idea that “casual” games mean shallow.  Or that “hardcore” means difficult.  I disagree.  I think that games need an introduction that both experienced and new gamers can pick up and enjoy.  I think that games should be fun if you play them an hour a week or four hours a day.  And I think there can be equal depth and challenge to a first person flight sim and a top down social emulator.  It’s all in how you design it.  Give your audience credit, and also give them depth, tactics, and thought.  Finally, give ‘em a little bit of help if they need it.

America's Army: No Comment

A few people have emailed me about the recent story on the protests of Ubisoft’s involvement in the latest console version of America’s Army.  I assume this is because of the recent Wired article.

Now, first off, I didn’t work on America’s Army: True Soldiers.  Even though the game was built on the engine of GRAW/2 that I DID work on, I didn’t have anything to do with it. 

This means I have no comment on the game itself.  I do want to bring up one thing, however.  As much as people want to bring up the influence of Army video games, you also need to be aware of something else.  Have you ever seen Top Gun?  If so, you have supported the DOD’s propaganda machine.  The DOD has a special arm that supports entertainment in positively portraying the US Military.  In order to qualify for this support (which includes lending equipment, shooting locations such as aircraft carriers, etc), the entertainment (see: movie) must meet certain requirements in showing the US military in a positive light.

Now, my thoughts on AA on the console actually pale in comparison to my thoughts on AA on the PC (which has nothing to do with Ubisoft), that is given away for free (i.e., your government is producing a product with your tax dollars that directly competes with privately-produced entertainment products, the same as if the government fully funded “Saving Private Ryan” and released it for free in the theaters).  This gets my libertarian (as well as my capitalistic) spines up.  I don't like the fact that the government is putting out a product that directly competes with private companies in a non-governmental function (entertainment).  I'm sure that the government could compete with Doritos if it decided to put out ARMY CHEDDAR CHIPS for free, but is that right?

I guess my rambling point is that if you want to rail against recruiting in video games, you need to do your research and make sure that you do not see any movies that get made with DOD support.  Otherwise, you are supporting the very thing you rail against.  No Top Gun for you. 

OMG who put this dude in a textbook?

You ever had those surreal moments when you think that if you went back in time and told yourself something that had happened, your former self wouldn't believe you?

In 1994 I was a senior at Chugiak High School in Alaska.  I was working at a tool rental, making sweet $8 an hour part time; spending my nights alternating partying (read: drinking myself into a stupor out at the gravel pits on native land) or playing Palladium RPG until 4AM.  At school I would show up in the parking lot on time (my mom kicked my ass out of bed), but sleep in my Bronco II until homeroom, and then wander in to hit on chicks.

I literally barely graduated high school.  In fact, under the current graduation requirements back home I wouldn’t graduate today.  I was on the edge on credits and my GPA was 1.98; if my girlfriend (now my wife) hadn’t finished a correspondence course for me, I probably wouldn’t have graduated. 

It’s not that I had trouble in school; I just thought it was stupid. 

Anyways, back to the present.  I opened up my mail today, and there was UPS package in it.  Inside was a textbook.  Like for school.  And I’m in it. 

Now, I’ve been in a couple of publications in the past, including Mark Deuze’s excellent Media Work; and of course game mags and the such.  But this is a TEXTBOOK.  FOR SCHOOLS.

I had actually forgotten that quite a while ago I wrote a whole bunch of answers to questions for Jeannie Novak, who I met taking classes at the Art Institute (my second stint, after dropping out the first time to take my entry-level game design gig).  But today I open up Game Project Management, and BAM there I am, quoted throughout.

It’s a strange strange world.  My past self who was focused on drinking, chicks, and gaming would never believe me.