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| Name: | Timothy Aste |  |
|---|---|---|
| Date Posted: | Jul 25, 2008 | |
| Rating: |  Not Rated | |
| Public: | YES | |
| Comments: | YES | |
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| Profile Page: | View profile page for Timothy Aste |
Blog post
How's it going everyone? So as some of you may or may not have noticed, after just under four years of great times I quietly slipped out the door from my position here at GarageGames to join my new fellow associates. I started transitioning in May, and fear not Legions is in very good hands (as it must be obvious by now). I made the decision to move on because I was ready to try some new things, explore a little diversity, and really it just felt like the timing was right to strike out on my own. I'm not getting out of games though, don't worry! I'm planning, collaborating, and working with a few other familiar faces from around here, and GarageGames is always up to new and crazy awesome stuff and I am there will be a way to collaborate with GG in the future.
So for the last month (just about) I've been exploring a variety of things including talking about some projects with a few others people from the community and GG. Other than that, I've been kicking back, expanding my knowledge on a few things (like matte painting, and teaching myself CSS again). It's been a relaxing three weeks, but the itch to get back to work on stuff is starting up, so plan on seeing more updates from me over August on what's going on. One of the things I've done recently is taught myself the inner workings of WordPress. I've setup my blog again at http://www.subreal.net, so go check it out! I am releasing a few free WordPress themes in August, as well as a few game art tutorials, free 3D models, textures, etc. I have a huge archive of stuff that just amassed over 8 years, so I want to give something back (as an associate too) and plan on digging through and sharing what I can.
I've also written up a reflection on my time at GarageGames, going over all the crazy events and good times from the last four years. If you ever wanted to learn more about GarageGames or it's history (at least the part I was here for), I recommend checking it out. There were a lot of fun times and a lot of stories, I'm definitely going to miss the old crew, but I'm looking forward to making whole new stories. Crazy to believe, but looking back and recounting this made me realize that while here at GarageGames I contributed to ~93 products in some form: 20 Games, 5 engines, 3 books, 13 tools, 48 content packs, and 4 websites. Some roles were bigger, some roles were smaller but I learned a lot because I was able to work on a variety of things such as game art, contracts, QA, EULAs, logos, marketing, publishing contracts, producing, directing, web development, graphic design, and more.
Lastly, a bit of bad news, don't hate me. I'm no longer supporting my two content packs that are for sale here on GarageGames. Don't fret though! They are still going to be supported, just by the GarageGames crew. I've turned over all rights and claim to the packs to GarageGames itself, and while I was the original author, they will be maintaining it from here on out, it just makes more sense for everyone that way.
In other news, I'm the proud new owner of a yurt! Yes, a yurt. I don't talk about it much here as it's unrelated, but I'm really into green living, lowering the carbon footprint, alternative energy, and the whole "do it yourself". Maybe it's the artist side, maybe it's not. I'm starting the great Yurt experiment down in Creswell, OR, where I'll be living in a Yurt. First with normal amenities (power, water, plumbing), then slowly weening myself off these over two years (hopefully). Getting my hands dirty with gardening (my "deck" garden at my current residence is doing pretty good), and I've already started plans for building a home-made wind-generator from junkyard parts. Throw in a few composting toilets, etc, and my hope is to be 50% or more "off the grid" in two years, but still living like a normal human being (good food, power, electricity, etc). I could totally screw it up, but it's worth a shot, and once I get in there (probably early September) I plan on recording the whole thing. Luckily, I have two silent partners who are providing me the land, and couldn't be doing it without their help. :)
Lastly, what's a .plan without images? Here's some images from my digital sketchbook, just a mish-mosh of random things I've "sketched" recently, nothing serious or final. Hopefully being temporarily unemployed means I'll actually start posting here more! If anyone wants to keep in touch, go to my website or connect with me on LinkedIn!
So for the last month (just about) I've been exploring a variety of things including talking about some projects with a few others people from the community and GG. Other than that, I've been kicking back, expanding my knowledge on a few things (like matte painting, and teaching myself CSS again). It's been a relaxing three weeks, but the itch to get back to work on stuff is starting up, so plan on seeing more updates from me over August on what's going on. One of the things I've done recently is taught myself the inner workings of WordPress. I've setup my blog again at http://www.subreal.net, so go check it out! I am releasing a few free WordPress themes in August, as well as a few game art tutorials, free 3D models, textures, etc. I have a huge archive of stuff that just amassed over 8 years, so I want to give something back (as an associate too) and plan on digging through and sharing what I can.
I've also written up a reflection on my time at GarageGames, going over all the crazy events and good times from the last four years. If you ever wanted to learn more about GarageGames or it's history (at least the part I was here for), I recommend checking it out. There were a lot of fun times and a lot of stories, I'm definitely going to miss the old crew, but I'm looking forward to making whole new stories. Crazy to believe, but looking back and recounting this made me realize that while here at GarageGames I contributed to ~93 products in some form: 20 Games, 5 engines, 3 books, 13 tools, 48 content packs, and 4 websites. Some roles were bigger, some roles were smaller but I learned a lot because I was able to work on a variety of things such as game art, contracts, QA, EULAs, logos, marketing, publishing contracts, producing, directing, web development, graphic design, and more.
Lastly, a bit of bad news, don't hate me. I'm no longer supporting my two content packs that are for sale here on GarageGames. Don't fret though! They are still going to be supported, just by the GarageGames crew. I've turned over all rights and claim to the packs to GarageGames itself, and while I was the original author, they will be maintaining it from here on out, it just makes more sense for everyone that way.
In other news, I'm the proud new owner of a yurt! Yes, a yurt. I don't talk about it much here as it's unrelated, but I'm really into green living, lowering the carbon footprint, alternative energy, and the whole "do it yourself". Maybe it's the artist side, maybe it's not. I'm starting the great Yurt experiment down in Creswell, OR, where I'll be living in a Yurt. First with normal amenities (power, water, plumbing), then slowly weening myself off these over two years (hopefully). Getting my hands dirty with gardening (my "deck" garden at my current residence is doing pretty good), and I've already started plans for building a home-made wind-generator from junkyard parts. Throw in a few composting toilets, etc, and my hope is to be 50% or more "off the grid" in two years, but still living like a normal human being (good food, power, electricity, etc). I could totally screw it up, but it's worth a shot, and once I get in there (probably early September) I plan on recording the whole thing. Luckily, I have two silent partners who are providing me the land, and couldn't be doing it without their help. :)
Lastly, what's a .plan without images? Here's some images from my digital sketchbook, just a mish-mosh of random things I've "sketched" recently, nothing serious or final. Hopefully being temporarily unemployed means I'll actually start posting here more! If anyone wants to keep in touch, go to my website or connect with me on LinkedIn!
Recent Blog Posts
| List: | 11/12/08 - Keeping busy around the lab 07/25/08 - Open Horizons! 03/04/08 - Legions @ GDC 09/20/07 - Video from GDC 03/02/07 - Art blog 01/04/07 - Products, Holidays, Job Opening, GGE Winners! 12/12/06 - GGE Contest Extension! 12/07/06 - Win even *more* Free Stuff |
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Submit your own resources!| Edward (Jul 25, 2008 at 23:19 GMT) |
Sorry to see you, a guy of your caliber should be able to find work with ease. thats a awesome scifi scene. Any chance of seeing that as a going away present :).
I for one will be keeping a eye on your carreer, I love your art and your talent. Fair Travels.
| Novack (Jul 25, 2008 at 23:49 GMT) |
On the main topic, I have to say Congrats! you have done a wonderful work, plus an incredible learning for what you say, so you cannot ask for more :)
The best for you in your new adventures.
BTW, Im saying that thing much lately, it seems that you guys entered a machine that transform people from "Indi" (developer) to "Indy" (Jones) XD
| Eric Forhan (Jul 26, 2008 at 00:17 GMT) |
| Mike Rowley (Jul 26, 2008 at 00:26 GMT) |
Quote:
I'm definitely going to miss the old crew
There are none of the "Old Crew" left since IAC took over.
You will be sorely missed by this community. Your art is simply awesome.
I wish you the best in the future in whatever endevor you take.
| J.C. Smith (Jul 26, 2008 at 02:56 GMT) |
| Donald \"Yadot\" Harris (Jul 26, 2008 at 13:20 GMT) |
| Leroy Frederick (Jul 26, 2008 at 13:37 GMT) |
Quote:Second agreed. It's certainly a case of new generation gg, let's just hope the game making/game development spirit doesn't go over time too!
I have to agree with Mike, it seems that over the past two months, almost all of the old GG has left. Sad to see you guys go.
Anyway as was said previously Tim, you won't have to worry about employment, so whatever you decide to do in future I look forward to seeing the results and good wishes too! :)
| Jeppie (Jul 26, 2008 at 20:40 GMT) |
all of peewee company's people leave to start new innovative peewee company
new innovative peewee company competes with big dumb beaurocratic company
big dumb beaurocratic company discards remains of former innovative peewee company
big dumb beaurocratic company looks for next innovative peewee company to take over
the inevitable cycle is almost complete! Just tell us what the new company is called, lol
Edited on Jul 26, 2008 20:44 GMT
| Neo Binedell (Jul 26, 2008 at 21:39 GMT) |
| Michael Cozzolino (Jul 27, 2008 at 04:29 GMT) |
Then again it seems like a new regime is filling in so I guess it isn't doom and gloom. :) Torque for I-phone. Things still seem to be humming along.
| Canon (Jul 27, 2008 at 07:22 GMT) |
Nice pics, keep us informed about your projects.
| Logan Foster (Jul 28, 2008 at 14:38 GMT) |
Best of luck to you with your new ventures. Everyone needs a change of pace and considering the usual turn around time in technology is 2 to 3 years, the time you spent at GarageGames is incredible indeed. Quite the achievement to be proud of.
Welcome back to the world of being an indie developer again. Its nice to see some of the guys that started back at the same time as I did succeeding at this as well :)
@Jeppie
I think many of us as users of Garage Games technology have benefited incredibly since the buyout due to the increased resources and greater focus on delivering bigger and better products that meet the end-users needs. So please stop your fear mongering.
| David Montgomery-Blake (Jul 28, 2008 at 16:42 GMT) |
I have a couple of friends who have been Yurting for a long while. The winters can be a killer her in Idaho, though! But they're a lot hardier than I am. I'm a wuss!
| Matt Fairfax (Jul 28, 2008 at 18:15 GMT) |
Quote:
There are none of the "Old Crew" left since IAC took over.
There are still quite a few of us still kicking around at GG =P
| Steve Flowers (Jul 28, 2008 at 18:47 GMT) |
Not sure I'm diggin the small flimsy-ish space provided by the traditional Yurt, but the price is certainly right. Like the idea of living completely off the grid, escaping 'the man' even if just in my imagination:)
Hope it catches on. Good luck Tim.
| Timothy Aste (Jul 28, 2008 at 20:04 GMT) |
| Jeppie (Aug 13, 2008 at 07:30 GMT) |
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