Choice between two very different 3-month projects

norhild · 02-26-2010, 01:26 PM

Hi everyone!

I'm currently a Game Programming Master student at Gamagora (Lyon - FRANCE). On Monday, we're having a 3-month group project with the rest of our promotion, including Level/Game Designers and Graphic Artist, which I found really great.

So, the thing is there's two I'm interested in, and I'm certainly having troubles choosing between them. Both projects have been chosen by a jury of pro's, IMO both are really good.

On one hand, there's a action-puzzle game, very original and interesting, using UDK. Here I'd be developing mainly gameplay parts, I think.

Its pro's are obviously the choice of UDK, which I find it'll be interesting in my portfolio, and the project's originality. The main point against this project is basically that in three months there's a big chance that we could only finish a demo. There's also the thing we might have troubles using UnrealScript, since we're no experts at all.

On the other side there's a really nice platformer, which will be made using AIR/Flash. I'd be responsible mainly of the in-game level editor.

The pro's are that we'll have a neat game developed in 1'5-2 months and then have time to polish it and having a really great result. So a real indie game. Its con's, I'd say that Flash isn't as cool in a CV/portfolio as UDK.

So, I'd like to have your opinions. What would be the best for a game programmer, having a cool complete game in Flash or a "hi-tech" game demo made using UDK?

tsloper · 02-26-2010, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by norhild

1. there's two I'm interested in, and I'm certainly having troubles choosing between them.
2. both are really good.
3. What would be the best for a game programmer, having a cool complete game in Flash or a "hi-tech" game demo made using UDK?

1. http://sloperama.com/advice/m70.htm
2. Then either way you go is okay. You can't make a bad choice between them.
3. It depends.

Adrir · 02-26-2010, 01:44 PM

Which would you prefer to make?

norhild · 02-26-2010, 02:18 PM

About the decision grid...

Yeah, the thing is I tend to be too equitable, too fair, so I usually end up having the same result on that kind of things.

About which one I'd prefer to make, well, that's the point, maybe what I'd like to play the most (and I'm even not sure on that point either) is the Flash one, but you know, making it, I'm not sure. I think both of them are interesting enough to be considered.

I'd like to become a gameplay programmer, mostly, so on this side maybe the UDK one should be more interesting. But the in-game level editor it also has a great deal for me, since it's a thing I've thought a lot about too, so as I said, both are great choices and since I'm not sure where I'd apply for after this project, I'm not too sure whether I should go with the casual/web-oriented games or a more hardcore ones. But then, for this project, the thing is the UDK one in terms of game, is the most casual and the Flash project the most hardcore one, kinda ironic, isn't it?

Anyway, I'll keep thinking about it. I'll be waiting for other replies (thanks for being so fast, btw), and once I make up my mind I'll post my decision

tsloper · 02-26-2010, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by norhild

About the decision grid...

Yeah, the thing is I tend to be too equitable, too fair, so I usually end up having the same result on that kind of things.

Then flip a coin.

norhild · 02-27-2010, 06:52 AM

Yes, I'm probably doing that, since I still don't have a clue... I think it's not that hard, since both projects are OK.

But, when you said it depends, what did you mean? It depends on what, exactly? Thanks anyway

yaustar · 02-27-2010, 08:58 AM

Quote:

What would be the best for a game programmer, having a cool complete game in Flash or a "hi-tech" game demo made using UDK?

'It depends' because if you are planning to do lots of Flash games in the online space, 'a cool complete game in Flash' is going to be 'better' then something done in UDK.

There can also be lots of other reasons why one is better then the other but it depends on the situation.

tsloper · 02-27-2010, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by norhild

But, when you said it depends, what did you mean? It depends on what, exactly? Thanks anyway

It depends on what you mean by "best." You're welcome anyway lol rotflmao.

norhild · 02-27-2010, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tsloper

It depends on what you mean by "best." You're welcome anyway lol rotflmao.

Well, by best, I mean for a CV/portfolio/showcase, I know it'll depend on what kind of game programmer I'd like to become, maybe that's the point, that I'm not quite sure. I think a gameplay programmer would be my description. I'm absolutely sure I don't want to be a Graphic Programmer, nor Physics... Apart from that, I think I'd be good at that any other part (modesty aside). The thing is I'm not sure I'd like to become a Flash developer, even if at this point I prefer AS to UnrealScript.

To sum up: Which one would fit better in a Gameplay/Generalist programmer CV? A polished, complete Flash game or an UDK demo? I know again it'd depend but, you know, just in general...

(The thanks anyway, it was mostly because I didn't planned to post again till I made a choice ^^)

tsloper · 02-27-2010, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by norhild

Well, by best, I mean for a CV/portfolio/showcase, I know it'll depend on what kind of game programmer I'd like to become, maybe that's the point, that I'm not quite sure.

Then flip a coin.
If you don't want to flip a coin, make a decision grid.
If you don't want to flip a coin or make a decision yourself, then wait and see if either of them invites you to join them.
By not deciding, you decide not to pursue this passion.