Scheduling – Did not make the October deadline, but 360iDev is fast approaching
// November 1st, 2010 // By LordBron // Game Dev, iDevBlogADay, Learning Resources
So, PoV’s Challenge is over. Sadly, we here at Area 161 did not make the magical deadline. It was a crazy deadline for us going in and we knew that. One of our dependencies is an iOS version that’s not even released yet, so we knew hitting the October deadline was not going to be possible. However, we did get a much needed jolt from the challenge.
One thing is certain for novice game makers like ourselves. To quote an email from my dad (the main artist):
Are we still on schedule? Is there a schedule?
That’s the thing. If you’ve never made a game, you’re not really sure what the schedule should be. I figured taking on PoV’s Challenge would at least get us moving towards a goal and 1 month seemed as good a timeline as any.
The lack of progress probably rests upon me more than other team members. I need to be the driving force behind this effort. My dad can draw to his heart’s content and Smiley can throw idea after idea, but until I can code faster and more regularly, I’ll be the bottleneck. I’m getting comfortable with iOS dev, but the speed definitely isn’t there yet. If only there was somewhere I could get a turbo-boost in the iOS dev category. Oh wait, there is.
360|iDev is next week
Exactly one week from today, I’ll be in Austin participating in 360|iDev, the best iOS conference for an indie dev. I announced Area 161 back at the last 360|iDev. We then sorta validated some of our ideas at WWDC. PoV’s Challenge sorta put steam into our engines. I’m looking to this version of 360|iDev to finally get us to full steam. The game jam is my favorite part of the conference. Despite what the rules are, I’ll be coding “darts” while I am there. Taking full advantage of all the genius game making minds there to help me make this game.
If you’ve never been to a 360|iDev and you want to jumpstart you iOS game making career, drop everything and attend it. Yes, I’m biased cuz I helped create it back in the day, but others sing its praises. There’s even a great 101 intro to iOS dev on Sunday by the great Ray Wenderlich and it’s included in your base registration.
If you go, see you there. It’ll definitely be a game changer for us (pun intended). If not, you’ll be sorry. Really, you will.
Pretty much the same experience for us re the Ludum October experience – totally worth it though as it resurrected an old idea that we probably wouldn’t have gotten around to, and is now looking in good (and fun) shape but about another month from release (assuming I, much like yourself, widen my bottle neck).
Anyway – also participating in the 360idev game jam and currently deciding how pre-armed to go in regards to a specific idea / mechanic.
G.
Sweetness. You and I can be the Ludum October corner then. Despite everyone telling us we’re doing the jam wrong, we can make headway into our games and live in our own little game jam world!
Right there with you brothers.
I’m 90% done, if you know what I mean.
The game must go on.
Awesome. Glad we all at least got our butts in gear with the challenge! Now to conquer the world! LOL