Blogging during college? So much for that!

When this blog was first created, it was to chronicle my experiences and development during my time in Vancouver Film School's Game Design program as a young, aspiring game designer and student. Well, let's just say that regular blogging wasn't exactly a part of the strict, regimented curriculum. I happened to choose the path that directed my time into efforts which got my projects done and game docs written. Unfortunately there was only one of me at the time (and at this time too), and the difference between blogging about my experiences during college and actually "experiencing college" (i.e.assignments and homework galore) meant the difference between sleeping and dying.

So. Much. Fun

Now, a year out of college and halfway across the world, I've discovered a brutally honest life lesson that hasn't reared its head until now:

Learning doesn't truly begin until after class has ended.

While this isn't as much as an epiphany as it is a simple coming to terms, it has always come across as an accepted notion that once you finish any academic degree, diploma, course, etc that you'll simply retain and permeate all the wondrous skills, abilities and/or knowledge you've learned over that time. And I think it's a very difficult for a fresh graduate to admit a lack of understanding, inabilities or plain ignorance when it comes to anything in regards to their chosen career field. After all, spending X amount of years to study, practice and learn your craft should amount for a very solid base understanding of what you've chosen to dedicate your life to, right?

And with this paper I now know possess the infinite knowledge of the universe! (and game mechanics)

So of course, it's incredibly frightening for someone like me to admit that after my time spent in college, I know a fraction of what I truly need to know to be considered a well-versed and adept game designer. When it's commonly accepted to push all flaws under the rug and step with the best foot forward, I've decided to display my short-comings as a game designer with this blog in an effort to showcase my own personal progress, successes and failures as I dive in head first.

You know nothing of game design, Jon Snuh

My goals are fairly short and simple:
1. Know something more today than I did the yesterday, and find out how this will benefit me and others.
2. Follow what's interesting and engaging, and don't get bogged down by lack of focus.
3. Don't get discouraged.

To jump-start this journey I've been completing a series of Unity 3D tutorials which was something I didn't have time to fully sit down and commit to during my year of study at VFS. While we were very exposed to Unity 4 and a majority of us used it for our final projects, it became difficult to find out what was going on under the hood in such a short timespan. Currently it's been a lot of note taking, passive listening and playing sections 2 or 10 times over, but as a non-programmer it's really starting to have a positive effect. I can't wait to see what I can do in a few weeks time, and I'll be keeping updates as I move forward with my progress.

Until then, have fun!