Plan for Benjamin Bradley
by Benjamin Bradley · 01/30/2005 (4:11 pm) · 13 comments
I have done it... Yes, that's right I have joined the Mile High Club. Several miles above the earth, somewhere between Phoenix and Seattle, the screams of excitement could almost be heard by the other passengers on the plane. Yes, the first ever Zap! LAN party took place on an American West flight. Ahhhh... what were you all thinking I was going to say. :)
Anyway, thanks to Jim and his trusty laptop (which actually only had about 15 minutes of battery left, so the LAN party was pretty quick) we had a wild Hunters match with Jim, myself and a map full of awesome bots. Jim's first response was, "I like the way you make things move." Ok...Jim wasn't the most game savvy person on the plane but Jay was out cold, so I had to find someone else to initiate my diabolical plan for Zap! LAN party domination through collaboration. This was an awesome ending to an exciting trip to Orlando to be a part of the G.A.M.E.S. Synergy Summit. (Government, Academic, Military, Entertainment and Simulation)
Jay and I, along with Matt Fairfax from Bravetree, headed out to Orlando to facilitate a Torque Bootcamp. With between 15-23 participants, Matt did an awesome job teaching people about Torque and how to use Torque in different settings. Stephen Zepp, who came down to Orlando to help us (and party with us) was a huge help with his military background that opened up doors and conversations.
During the rest of the conference, Jay and I were busy with many different meetings and it was exciting to see the interest from the government/simulation industry as well as the growing attention from educational institutions.
Several interesting things that happened:
** I was invited to attend a Full Sail final presentation project from a team who used the Torque Game Engine. So on Thursday, I went with Matt and Stephen in a car Stephen had borrowed to the presentation. With none of us really knowing the way to theater and only a simple map to guide us, we inevitably got ourselves turned around. Then to make matters worse, the car started to smoke and the temperature went through the roof. So Stephen pulled the car to the side and was able to perform some minor miracles with Ducktape, water and papertowls while Matt and I contemplated selling our Vietnamese jewelry "while we waited"...(or so the sign told us we could). We got the car going and a few more miles later the radiator blew again. With Matt needing to get to the airport soon, we decided it would be best to take a long cab ride back to the hotel, so Matt and I left Stephen at a gas station in way out in the NE of Orlando. (I have since heard he made it back ok). But our whole trip to hear this Torque Game Presentation was missed.
The funny thing was, on Friday evening, I was approached by Michael Perry. Michael was the project lead on the Full Sail presentation that we were heading off to see. So we were able to talk for an hour and he showed me his project that the team had put together in two months. To be honest, his team put together one of the best menu systems complete with animations and multiple cameras that I have seen in a while. Good job guys, and keep it up.
** I also had the opportunity to be a panelist for another Full Sail presentation of intermediate programmers. The three teams who presented to a panel of industry vets had to create a game from scratch in two months that included things like menu systems, enemy AI, particle engine, force-feedback control and more. I have to say after seeing and talking with several of these Full Sail Game Programming students that even though several years ago, Full Sail had a not-so-great reputation within the gaming industry, I believe they have made great strides and are starting to turn out some very creative and talented game programmers.
There is tons of other things to say, but I don't want to make this into a monster .plan. Needless to say, the Torque Development Platform is moving into exciting fields. The faces on people who seemed to "get it", whenever we talked about Torque 2D/TGE/TSE was so awesome. And in the words of Josh, "This ROCKS!!!". Anyway, those of you who were on IRC Friday night know what I'm talking about. And to all you future Mile High Zap! Club members....Party On!
Oh, and Joe, I was able to bring you back Deluxe Shower Cap and a bath and facial Sunflower and Grapefruit Soap.
I'm out.
Anyway, thanks to Jim and his trusty laptop (which actually only had about 15 minutes of battery left, so the LAN party was pretty quick) we had a wild Hunters match with Jim, myself and a map full of awesome bots. Jim's first response was, "I like the way you make things move." Ok...Jim wasn't the most game savvy person on the plane but Jay was out cold, so I had to find someone else to initiate my diabolical plan for Zap! LAN party domination through collaboration. This was an awesome ending to an exciting trip to Orlando to be a part of the G.A.M.E.S. Synergy Summit. (Government, Academic, Military, Entertainment and Simulation)
Jay and I, along with Matt Fairfax from Bravetree, headed out to Orlando to facilitate a Torque Bootcamp. With between 15-23 participants, Matt did an awesome job teaching people about Torque and how to use Torque in different settings. Stephen Zepp, who came down to Orlando to help us (and party with us) was a huge help with his military background that opened up doors and conversations.
During the rest of the conference, Jay and I were busy with many different meetings and it was exciting to see the interest from the government/simulation industry as well as the growing attention from educational institutions.
Several interesting things that happened:
** I was invited to attend a Full Sail final presentation project from a team who used the Torque Game Engine. So on Thursday, I went with Matt and Stephen in a car Stephen had borrowed to the presentation. With none of us really knowing the way to theater and only a simple map to guide us, we inevitably got ourselves turned around. Then to make matters worse, the car started to smoke and the temperature went through the roof. So Stephen pulled the car to the side and was able to perform some minor miracles with Ducktape, water and papertowls while Matt and I contemplated selling our Vietnamese jewelry "while we waited"...(or so the sign told us we could). We got the car going and a few more miles later the radiator blew again. With Matt needing to get to the airport soon, we decided it would be best to take a long cab ride back to the hotel, so Matt and I left Stephen at a gas station in way out in the NE of Orlando. (I have since heard he made it back ok). But our whole trip to hear this Torque Game Presentation was missed.
The funny thing was, on Friday evening, I was approached by Michael Perry. Michael was the project lead on the Full Sail presentation that we were heading off to see. So we were able to talk for an hour and he showed me his project that the team had put together in two months. To be honest, his team put together one of the best menu systems complete with animations and multiple cameras that I have seen in a while. Good job guys, and keep it up.
** I also had the opportunity to be a panelist for another Full Sail presentation of intermediate programmers. The three teams who presented to a panel of industry vets had to create a game from scratch in two months that included things like menu systems, enemy AI, particle engine, force-feedback control and more. I have to say after seeing and talking with several of these Full Sail Game Programming students that even though several years ago, Full Sail had a not-so-great reputation within the gaming industry, I believe they have made great strides and are starting to turn out some very creative and talented game programmers.
There is tons of other things to say, but I don't want to make this into a monster .plan. Needless to say, the Torque Development Platform is moving into exciting fields. The faces on people who seemed to "get it", whenever we talked about Torque 2D/TGE/TSE was so awesome. And in the words of Josh, "This ROCKS!!!". Anyway, those of you who were on IRC Friday night know what I'm talking about. And to all you future Mile High Zap! Club members....Party On!
Oh, and Joe, I was able to bring you back Deluxe Shower Cap and a bath and facial Sunflower and Grapefruit Soap.
I'm out.
About the author
I run WebDesign.com
#2
01/30/2005 (5:06 pm)
@Ben: I can't believe you forgot to mention the 15 minutes it took to figure out how to get the key to turn...other than that, was a pretty fun week, looking forward to doing it again sometime!
#3
01/30/2005 (5:09 pm)
Ahhhh... Now that was hysterical. Four guys in a car not being able to turn the key. The only thing that would have topped that would have been if the cop walked up and asked if we were stealing the car.
#4
01/30/2005 (5:12 pm)
I drove up to Seattle once and on my way there had to get gas. I sat at the station trying to figure out how to do it for like 10 minutes before I had to finally go in the station and ask for help. The clerk thought I was nuts... or incredibly dumb. For those that don't know, it's illegal to pump your own gas in Oregon, and it was a new car for me, so I'd never done it on that car before.
#5
01/30/2005 (5:28 pm)
hahaha... at least you didn't almost get a $500 ticket for pumping my own gas when I moved here in October. I was so angry about that I wasn't able to pump my own gas. I almost became a politician just so that I could push forward legislation so that I could pump my own gas. My slogan was going to be, "I have gas and I know how to use it." But then I talked to everyone here in Oregon and they love the fact that they don't have to pump their own gas. Thus, my political career was cut short.
#6
01/30/2005 (6:25 pm)
I always found it funny that I moved from a state where you couldn't pump your own gas to another state where you couldn't (NJ-OR) since there are what like 2-3 states that actually have a law like that? :)
#7
Having Matt & Stephen keeping Benjamin and I from sounding too much like marketing guys it felt like a we'll be doing many more Torque Boot Camps, but doing it in one day is a bit of a stretch. I'd say for talented developers there is a large opportunity to take Torque skills into this rapid growth arena.
01/30/2005 (6:57 pm)
It really was a great time in Orlando and we heard a number of people saying the really enjoyed the workshop (with many comments coming back from others - wishing they hadn't missed it). We had an interesting mix of simulation project managers, higher level engineers and educators looking at how Torque might fit into their workflow. Having Matt & Stephen keeping Benjamin and I from sounding too much like marketing guys it felt like a we'll be doing many more Torque Boot Camps, but doing it in one day is a bit of a stretch. I'd say for talented developers there is a large opportunity to take Torque skills into this rapid growth arena.
#8
I am really interested in seeing where these boot camps lead. My guess is that they'll be more and more popular. Though not an "in the trenches" programmer, attending such an event would definitely enhance my ability to effectively project manage and know the strengths and limitations of the engine better. Eventually, I see the boot camps as something being popular enough to fragment: torque boot camp for artists, torque boot camp for programmers, torque boot camp for designers... but that's a ways off, first things first!
01/30/2005 (10:36 pm)
@Ben: New Jersey, eh? What exit? Yeah, your political career would have been cut short all right. That'd be about as popular as changing our sales tax to anything other than 0%.I am really interested in seeing where these boot camps lead. My guess is that they'll be more and more popular. Though not an "in the trenches" programmer, attending such an event would definitely enhance my ability to effectively project manage and know the strengths and limitations of the engine better. Eventually, I see the boot camps as something being popular enough to fragment: torque boot camp for artists, torque boot camp for programmers, torque boot camp for designers... but that's a ways off, first things first!
#9
01/31/2005 (12:42 am)
Mile High club... I was just about to welcome you... :P
#11
01/31/2005 (1:19 pm)
Ah man, I missed the announcement of Orlando. My daughter was in Orlando this weekend for some cheerleading championships, but I stayed home because, well, Orlando kind of sucks :) I would have gone if I'd known there was something to do besides Shamu and Mickey Mouse. Hell, I even had the room paid for already :(
#12
01/31/2005 (5:24 pm)
GG is doing some marvelous work and it's no wonder everyone is so interested in it. 
#13
I can't begin to tell everyone how timid and frightened I was to sneak into Synergy Summit and approach GG employees with our rickety game. Of course, as it was and still is, you guys were wicked down to Earth and even offered for me to join you in some beers after I showed you our project.
Even with the encouragement you guys gave me that night, who would have guessed I'd being using Torque today to earn a living and make my dreams become reality.
Oh, and Orlando does suck. . .I hated when I first moved there, and I hate it still =).
12/19/2006 (9:45 am)
Wow. . .I never even saw this blog! Only a month away from the 2 year mark since this blog was created and I just now got around to seeing it.I can't begin to tell everyone how timid and frightened I was to sneak into Synergy Summit and approach GG employees with our rickety game. Of course, as it was and still is, you guys were wicked down to Earth and even offered for me to join you in some beers after I showed you our project.
Even with the encouragement you guys gave me that night, who would have guessed I'd being using Torque today to earn a living and make my dreams become reality.
Oh, and Orlando does suck. . .I hated when I first moved there, and I hate it still =).
Torque Owner Joshua Dallman
Default Studio Name
nice to hear torque and education comingling is making some good headway. would love to see an outline of the presentation that was given for the boot camp. imagine where things will be in 5 years... it's going places. just hope that someone who's now 13 isn't going to be taking your job then!