Kamikaze - Now Ready for Download!

What a crazy week this has been. I am proud to announce that with the help of David Burke, Colleen O'Keefe, and Alyssa Harn, our game Kamikaze is 99% complete and ready for download!

It's been a long road and I'd like to take this opportunity to talk about how this project got to where it is today.

As indicated by its art design (and even moreso with the shameless ripping of the OST) Kamikaze is inspired by Wayforward's Mighty Switch Force series.

While I'll admit I never got the chance to try the game itself, I was captiviated by the gameplay footage I saw over YouTube. Through its optimistic voice actress, bright colors and downright awesome soundtrack, it made you feel good about playing it. Like you wanted to high five the main character.

I made it my goal to make something similar. I too wanted to make a game that made you feel good about playing it.

Like this, but not as good

The whole theme of crashing planes for Kamikaze originated from my incompetence as a programmer. I didn't know how to make health bar systems, so with time running out to turn in the project for class, I implemented a system in which enemies would not shoot at you and instead fly right into you. Thus, the prototype 1945 Kamikaze was born.

Although the prototype was relatively fun and fulfilled the guidelines given for the project, it was far from a "finished" game as there was no real ending. The planes would just keep coming and coming until you ran out of lives and submitted your high score.

Soon, it became time to propose an idea for a final project for class and I saw the opportunity to bring my original aspirations to make a feel-good game to fruition. I sat down later that night and created what would be the iconic heroin for my game: Kami Kayes

Kamikaze? Kami Kayes? Get it?

She was adorable and I was proud. My art in the past has been notorious for being dark and revolting, even a little creepy; it was nice to make something that would make people smile.
I posted her to Facebook and people ate it up, I was surprised by how many liked my original line work.

I knew of course, I wouldn't be able to accomplish the task of making this game on my own, so I proposed my idea to class. It was easy enough, I'm an experienced performer so I was confident that I would get support after speaking. Although I got a ton of good feedback from the audience nobody really stepped up to help. About to give up, I sent one final message over Canvas to David Burke. To my surprise, he contacted me back the next day and we became partners.

We worked together very well, I handled the artwork and general direction of the game, and he took care of the programming. We completed one level, then another, then another! I enlisted the help of a good friend to do the voice acting, I recruited another classmate to design the splash artwork. I had a real project going and I was at the head of it. It was simply exhilarating.

Time passed by, the deadline came closer, but we were not daunted. In a last minute effort, we implemented the boss and polished the game for release.

We were truly blessed on presentation day, our instructor had offered us the best spot in class for display: the computer connected to the projector. The players who participated had loads of fun and the onlookers seemed genuinely impressed with our work.

This is only the beginning. I have big plans for Kami Kayes and Kamikaze, one that involves a possible mobile app and one hell of an impressive portfolio piece. Overall it's been a fun experience making this game and I am excited for what the future holds.

Revaluating Gamers: A Critical Analysis

   In the 2010 Ted Talk, "Gaming Can Make a Better World" speaker Jane McGonigal argues that games can be implemented in life to solve real issues. While I support the thesis of her claims and am inspired by her scientific evidence that her Better Life project can extend one's life, there are a few quotes by her that are extreme and need to be brought under scrutiny.

"we achieve more in game worlds"

This opinion is shared by a lot of gamers, but I feel as though it's unfair. Yes, while it's true that we can blow up tanks and save the world in games, one must keep in mind that it's virtual. Once you turn off the console, it doesn't matter anymore. One could argue the same for a life in the context of "once you die, it doesn't matter anymore," but it's all about the experience and real life provides the full thrill of experiences that gaming will never achieve. When I'm at a party dancing on top of a table, you better believe that shit is real, I am in the moment with full HD graphics, intense motion sensing, and unparalleled NPCs and when I fall asleep I feel most accomplished knowing that I was the one doing these things, not some avatar.

When I spend the day playing video games, I always fall asleep wishing I had accomplished more, and I know there are more out there like me who feel the same.

"[gamers are] motivated to do something that matters."

The things in video games don't matter, I can reset the game and it's like none of my actions had actually taken place.

"when we're in game worlds many of us become the best version of ourselves. The most likely to help at a moments notice. Stick with a problem for as long as it takes"

Absolute bullshit. The people in pvp games can be some of the lowest, vile people you meet and they can act this way because video games provide anonimity to it's users. People don't really have to take full responsibility for their words and they feel safe on the other side of a screen to do horrible things.

Not to mention if you enter pretty much any MMO and ask a simple question over world chat, you are more than likely to be subject to haughty comments and general smart-assery.

And lastly, gamers do not always stick with a problem for as long as it takes, rage quitting is a prime example. Heck, I just came from a League of Legends match where my teammates (myself included) felt like surrendering halfway through the match.

"we never have those feelings (cynicism anxious depressed) in video games."

See the previous example

"what about games makes it impossible to feel like we can't achieve everything."

If you're just doing this with video games, you're doing life wrong.

This is where I start to agree with Jane, people should be applying this to their every day lives, and they don't have to treat it like virtual reality to do so.

"It's [world of warcraft] just better than reality."

I challenge anyone who believes this to go clubbing in San Francisco with me for a night.

It's a silly movie, but its lesson has given me so much

Snowboarding, parkour, jet skiing, making love, these are all just some of experiences that video games cannot provide the full experiences or reward of.

Going back and rereading this, I feel as though I may come off with a sense of arrogance or cynicism towards video games to some audiences. For those who believe this is true, I only fight against the notions of video games being better than reality with such passion because this life that was given to is truly beautiful. It seems anyone (with some exceptions) who would rather waste a day indoors on a nice day is ungrateful to our gift of life.

If you have two legs and can breathe properly, do yourself a favor and drop the controller for a second to go outside. Video gaming has its place. I love playing Team Fortress 2, but everything needs balance. Meet up with someone you haven't heard from in a while. Think to yourself "what's one thing other than video games that I really want to do right now," and then do it!