Tonight, two directors from the Blizzard Cinematics team did a talk at our local Siggraph chapter. The talk overall didn’t provide any new information really. They run things much like an effects or feature animation studio would be run. So a lot of the presentation would be similar to what you’d find in the extras of a DVD, but probably slightly more in depth. In the end though, you’d come out in utter awe and respect. I had the same feeling after watching The Pixar Story (if you can find it, it’s definitely worth a watch).

I’m not super happy at work these days. Not because of the people I work with, they’re awesome. But because I’m bored with what I’m doing, I need a change. Even if it was just for one year, to refresh and improve my skills. Unfortunately, my stint on a new project was cut short with some re-shuffling. I’m not permanently off the project, just out on loan. However, I don’t feel that I even want to return to that project anymore. They just brought on another animator, which, although I know the reasons are because I’m a better candidate to help the team I was moved to, it still leaves a bad taste in my mouth. To be move off a team I was quite excited to be on, and then to see an outsider slowly move his way onto the team.

I wish I had the motivation that the people who work at studios like Pixar, Blizzard, Weta, and Blur all have. But wishing doesn’t get you anywhere.

“The Lock down D looks great. It’s fun guessing which way the A.I is gonna turn off your contatct. Actually the contact animations while dribbling in general are very well done. “

http://www.gamespot.com/video/949926/6194201/videoplayerpop?rgroup=e32008_live&tag=video_main%3bwatch%3b4

I do hope this list is for real!  EVERLONG!!!

http://www.destructoid.com/footage-of-guitar-hero-iv-someone-tells-activision-ceo-it-s-called-rock-band-88034.phtml

MVP was always a great team.  Although I didn’t think I always quite fit in, it still felt like a family.  It was a small enough team to be able to splurge on monthly birthday celebrations with beer and cake.  Also small enough to sometimes get the company American express to pay for a dinner or two.    Every monthly meeting had raffle prizes.  The wrap-up parties were always a blast.  People partied like friends rather than co-workers.  There were limbo contests, poker games, curling and karaoke.  It was good times.  I don’t think that sort of thing will ever exist again on another game team at the studio.  But I think we all try to pass it along wherever we work now.

One of the girls there was pointing out how the majority of them who started in the industry when they did are in such good positions now.  They are the senior people in Vancouver’s gaming industry now.  I feel quite lucky to be sort of a part of that group.

I had tried out the Tug of War mode first, and didn’t stick around too long.  I was playing drums on Hard, but the person I was playing with was on Medium.  Now either I just suck at getting anything perfect (which I usually do), but it almost doesn’t seem fair that a Medium goes up against a Hard and wins the tug of war.  But I guess I should be equally as good at Hard as someone would be on Medium.  Oh well.

Score Duel I found probably the most because I could compare myself to others, especially those who are better than me.  Like snowboarding, I think I try harder when I’m surrounded by people who are retardedly good.  I’m forced to kick it up a notch.  But still, playing on Expert difficulty was insane for me.

I also tried playing just regular Quick Play with someone.  The first person that joined didn’t stick around very long as I was trying to wait another minute to see if anyone else would join for the remainder of the instruments.  So when that person left and another joined, I just started up the game.  Was an alright mode, but I guess it’d be more fun with people I actually knew, and maybe if there was a singer hahaha.

Anyway, I wish I had a 360, or that more people I knew had PS3s, so that I could play online with actual friends.