steveth45 Member Posts: 536 From: Eugene, OR, USA Registered: 08-10-2005 |
I'm going to tell a little story... About 3 years ago, I felt strongly that I should get involved with video game development. It was as though my heart was pulled towards making games. I knew some programming, so I picked up a book on C++ and started making small games. As time passed, and I started attending the CGDC's, my vision grew. I felt like my calling was to work in the mainstream video game market. The more I looked at games, I realized how much trash was out there and that the video game industry needs Christians. At the conferences, I saw many people who want to make Christian games, or at least band together and make games with other Christians. I respect both of those pursuits, but I felt myself drawn towards a third, and that is to get a job at a regular, secular game development studio and be a positive influence from the inside. Some people have respected my vision, others have not. Very few have shared it. I feel like some of us need to be like Daniel, Joseph, and others who flourished in a secular society under secular leadership, to the glory of God. I got a job a couple years ago as a software tester, which allowed me to get some on-the-job experience programming. But, after a year or so, I grew tired of working on rather boring engineering software. For this year's CGDC, I did a small workshop on programming 3D games. For that, I made Ninja Robot Attack. For the game-in-two-weeks competition here, Cohort and I made RevX. I took those two games, and the experience I got as a tester and applied for a job at a game studio in the town I live in. By the grace of God, I got the job. Those two games, which I wouldn't have made if it weren't for CGDC and CCN, came up quite a bit in the interviews for the job. Now I'm a junior programmer at Pipeworks (look it up on wikipedia, if you're interested). I'm so grateful to all of you guys on CCN, and the CGDC crew for giving me a community. I feel quite blessed. The company I work for is very fun, they did the last couple Godzilla games, a Prince of Persia game for the PSP, and Rampage:Total Destruction, a remake of the arcade game called Rampage. I can't say what I'm working on now, but it's fun. I started a couple weeks ago, but with Thanksgiving, I've worked a total of about 7 days. I wouldn't have believed how much one could learn in that time. I've learned so much that my head hurts. Reading about something is no substitute for having to use it and make it work. For those who also want to be game programmers, I'm glad for all the knowledge I have in the following areas (and wish I knew more): ------------------ |
bennythebear Member Posts: 1225 From: kentucky,usa Registered: 12-13-2003 |
congrats! i'm glad you have the desire to work in a secular environment, you can't help but be light in those situations when your heart is right. gives noobs like me some hope. right now i'm an unemployed college student, with a family, and i'm putting my trust in God on this one. i don't know what His plans our for the future, but i know i'm right where i need to be, and doing i what i need to do right now. anywho...i know people say congrats just to be polite sometimes, but i really mean congrats! and wow!!!(in awe of God)  ------------------ proverbs 25:7 www.gfa.org - Gospel for Asia www.persecution.com - Voice of the Martyrs |
SSquared Member Posts: 654 From: Pacific Northwest Registered: 03-22-2005 |
Great news! That is so cool. I could go on, but I have already given him plenty of congratulations elsewhere. I completely agree with your sentiments. I don't think it really matters where you work, as long as you work where God calls you. I work in the secular software environment and feel exactly as you. BTW, one thing Steve didn't mention is the software testing job he got was through meeting someone at the CGDC. Making contacts and relationships is very important. You never know when someone may call you about a job. He didn't get started right off in games, but it was a start. |
Mack Administrator Posts: 2779 From: Registered: 01-20-2001 |
quote: Congrads! |
crazyishone Member Posts: 1685 From: Registered: 08-25-2004 |
That is great news steveth! Very inspirational to me, as I've been wondering if its a realistic goal. Thank you for sharing this. Anyway, I wish you further success. Try to keep posting when you can! ------------------ |
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Lava Member Posts: 1905 From: Registered: 01-26-2005 |
That's awesome! Praise the Lord. You're one of the few people here who actually do it for a LIVING. ------------------ [This message has been edited by LAVA (edited November 29, 2006).] |
D-SIPL Moderator Posts: 1345 From: Maesteg, Wales Registered: 07-21-2001 |
Congrats dude. Thats some awesome stuff... praise God! ------------------ |
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Matt Langley Member Posts: 247 From: Eugene, OR, USA Registered: 08-31-2006 |
Congrats Steveth, Seems you are working just around the corner from where I am ------------------ |
dartsman Member Posts: 484 From: Queensland, Australia Registered: 03-16-2006 |
Cool Good work, can't wait to see your name in the game credits soon ------------------ |
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steveth45 Member Posts: 536 From: Eugene, OR, USA Registered: 08-10-2005 |
Thanks, guys. I hope this encourages more folks to seriously pursue game development. Matt, ------------------ |
CPUFreak91 Member Posts: 2337 From: Registered: 02-01-2005 |
Congrats man! You're doing pretty much what I'd like to do eventually. ------------------ |
Realm Master Member Posts: 1971 From: USA Registered: 05-15-2005 |
Lucky.
I evny you as well...
Hallelua! ------------------ |
HanClinto Administrator Posts: 1828 From: Indiana Registered: 10-11-2004 |
Steve -- congratulations. I'm very amazed at how much God has blessed and directed you in all of this -- I think that's fantastic. I hope you still associate with all of us lowly wannabe's at the CGDC next year.  I honestly can't think of a better person to impact entertainment from the inside-out. I have a lot of respect for you, and I feel that we share similar standards with so many things -- I honestly don't think I could be happier for you. In Christ,
quote: |
Lazarus Member Posts: 1668 From: USA Registered: 06-06-2006 |
quote: That was just... unbelievable. |
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Realm Master Member Posts: 1971 From: USA Registered: 05-15-2005 |
Rediculous. Insane. Incredibly stupid. ------------------ |
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HanClinto Administrator Posts: 1828 From: Indiana Registered: 10-11-2004 |
Yeah, for anyone who might not be quite sure -- it was also a joke. LarkNews is kindof like TheOnion, except for Christian-related stories. I think my favorite one is Hellbound man enjoys free church offers. (sorry for getting this so off topic -- if we have any more LarkNews discussion, it should probably go in another thread). [This message has been edited by HanClinto (edited November 30, 2006).] |
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Realm Master Member Posts: 1971 From: USA Registered: 05-15-2005 |
2 things: OOOOOOHHH! BWAHAAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAH!!! and those should go on the "Black hole for spam" thread (or so I've been informed it is... AKA "Girls...")
Steve: (IF that IS your real name 0.0) ------------------ |
