Game Design

Well, it's almost time for the presentation of the demos. We've had to face more obstacles than any class that I've ever had, but the time is drawing near for the demos to take place. Are you ready? For some of you, I think you are nearly there. For others, I think not. I don't know if you think this is something that is going to magically happen on its on, but you are going to be sorely disappointed.

Teamwork has not gone very well for some of you. Could it be because you've not done your part in making your team a well-working unit? Have you put forth all the effort that you could to make your team the best it could be? Do you contribute something every day that is going to make your game better? Does your team meet at the beginning of every class period to discuss the game plan for the day so that everyone knows exactly what he/she needs to accomplish that day. Do you meet at the end of the block or the next class period to revisit and assess what you've accomplished and what you need to do to take the next step? This is the process that you need to do over and over. And, you will find the teams that are making progress, your peers in this class, are doing just that.

It may seem strange to you and you may think this class is not important, maybe just an elective class, but life is a lot like game design. You will work with others in a team, sometimes people that you don't especially like or don't know that well or that you don't socialize with outside the workplace. In order to be successful, you will need to use the same strategies that you will use in here to be successful. Are you surprised? You shouldn't be. Your employer will not be interested in what you can do alone but how well you can work with others in a team environment, how productive you can be, and how you can channel your innovative and creative energies into a product or service when you are working on a product or service in a less than perfect environment.

You, my friend, are not on an island alone. You probably never will be. How will you learn the strategies to be successful? You have the opportunity to do so right here, right now. Take advantage of it and make a super game with your team members. I am confident that you can and will. Show us what you are made of!