Tracking a Dream - Press Start To Play
Looks like we gotta real hot mic here. Hot mic. Hey everyone. How's it goin'. Just answer silenty to yourself because I can't hear you anyway. This is my first time writing for N-Sider. My first time writing ever actually, so things may get a little awkward. If at anytime during the procedure you feel uncomfortable just imagine me in my underwear.
The Life and Times of a Budding Game Designer
Now that most of you left, I will direct the rest of my comments to the few that bravely stuck around. I am going to try and write a series of articles/journal entries documenting my Adventures in the Game Design Industry. While I haven't made it there yet, that is what the focus of these writings will be. I am going to attempt to get a job in the industry and take you every step of the way. I know a lot of you out there would love a position making video games for a living. However, unlike a lot of you, I am actually take steps to make that a reality, and failing a lot along the way. However tragic they may be, I am going to share my failures and successes with you all in hopes of helping you avoid my stupidity. Perhaps along the way I can teach someone a thing or two.
As this is my introduction entry, I thought I would let you guys in on a little about me and my world. (If there are any small children with heart conditions that are present, please leave the room 'til the end of the presentation. If you are one of these people, please take this time to yell at God for toying with your lives.) Since I have no friends and my family doesn't like me, I will be conducting the interview myself. Here goes and I hope you will join me inside my head for the adventure that lies ahead (pictures of me included).
Press start to play
Interviewer Matthew: Hi Matthew, it's good to have you here with us today. Don't even think about leaving with my pen because you'll be frisked on your way out as well as several times before, during, and after the interview. With that said, tell us a little about yourself!
Matthew M: Thanks Matt, it's good to be here. I've never done anything like this before, I'm a little nervous. And if I touch your pen for any reason it will be to stab you in the eye.
Interviewer Matthew: Touche. Everyone may be most familar with you by your work on Reading Rainbow as the endearing Lavar Burton. Tell us what it was like to play him and if you share any similarities with the character.
Matthew M: Huh...TV is sin. And I am white. I am an artist on the N-Sider website. It's such a wonderful place to work and the people are so kind-hearted. (actual opinions may vary) The first thing I did for the site was the set of "Ganon eyes". Now I hope to be doing a lot more work on N-Universe and really whipping that into shape.
Interviewer Matthew: How did you get the books to move like that? It doesn't work, I've tried. Lavar's belly must be full of magic.
Matthew M: Can I borrow your pen for a second?
Interviewer Matthew: Ha! No... So tell me, why do you want to be a part of the gaming industry? Aside from the obvious perks such as fame and women. Of course by fame I mean the fact that only your fellow co-workers know you (fame gained from the sound your nerf gun makes when you unload on them) and by women, I mean overweight male gamers with a C-cup.
Matthew M: Well I think, like a lot of people, games have really touched my life growing up. They have been a huge influence since I can remember. My first video game memories are playing Donkey Kong on the ColecoVision. There was also this game called Looping which I just loved. In the game you controlled a plane that had to shoot ballons and avoid pipes. Crazyness.
I lived in a trailer with my six brothers and sisters (three brothers, three sisters) and my parents. I'm the youngest out of everyone. We didn't have a lot of money. I remember wanting a Voltron so badly, he was roughly about my height at the time. But my folks just couldn't afford it so I had to build one out of Legos. I took him to preschool and some fat kid ate it. Video games were my source of entertainment, aside from tea parties with the neighbor chick (and yes they really did happen, dandylion necklaces and all). There was also swimming in the yard when it rained a lot. The storm drain would get stopped up and the yard would fill with water. There's nothing like frolicking in water and seeing a dog turd float past your head...
I used to do a lot of spider catching as a kid. There were big banana spiders in our yard. Huge yellow and black demons and if you weren't careful you would walk face first into them in tall grass. If you've ever played The Legend of Zelda: The Ocarina of Time you know what I am talking about. I would catch them in jars and throw them into the creek and watch them suffer...red eyes...demons...sorry, I get off track.
Interviewer Matthew: Oh sorry, I was rubbing my initials into my arm with my eraser. Ha, look! We have the same initials. What did you say?
Matthew M: Nothing. I think I'm leaving
Interviewer Matthew: Wait, I still have a lot of things to ask you.
Matthew M: Could you please not put your hand on my thigh?
Interviewer Matthew: Oh...right...I just thought you were giving me all the signals. When someone points to their leg and says "Touch this" the signal turns green for me.
Matthew M: Ask me something else.
Interviewer Matthew: Well, you never answered the first question so why don't we go back to that, hmm? Maybe you should put on your helmet so you don't hurt yourself this time.
So tell me, why videogames?
Matthew M: Well, if I were to really say what I want to say about games I think it would upset a lot of people. But I guess I should be honest with my fan base, they both deserve it. I guess I feel the same as other game players in that games could be better. Developers really need to take their ideas and push them further than they have been. That's not to say there have not been a lot of brilliant games out there. I know time plays a huge factor, but I honestly feel something needs to be done. If I can get into the industry and show people what that is, then I will have met my goal.
Interviewer Matthew: You're a very handsome fellow, has anyone ever told you that you could model? Possibly for Jimmy Dean's selection of breakfast meats. Your face would be great for anything dealing with hamburger really.
Matthew M: I hate you.
Interviewer Matthew: So, I'm a little confused about what you said, making games better? Elaborate and take your fingers out of your mouth this time.
Matthew M: Well, I am just saying, and I know I am going to get a lot of hate mail for this. (I can be reached at anytime day or night at the home of Jason Nuyens. Please feel free to e-mail me for the number) Games like Mario Sunshine and Metroid Prime could have been better. A lot better. Take for example Mario Sunshine. I feel this is the weakest game in the Mario franchise. I will use Princess Peach for this illustration. Why was she such a cardboard cutout character in that game?
I'm not a feminist by any means and whoever in the audience just called me nancy is lucky that I am wearing heels and can't run very fast or your a** would be grass. You know who you are. Back to my Peach comment. Why would anyone even want to attempt to save someone like that? Let her burn I say. It's like those people that save bacon grease in a can. I don't know what that meant but you get my point. These are characters, and are in desperate need of just that; character. Not only are they characters, they are Nintendo characters. We have come to expect endearing qualities. Characters you feel you know, you empathize with. Not this...and that's only the beginning of some of the problems.
Interviewer Matthew: It looks like we're short on time and the fact that I don't care what you think makes me want to finish this interview later.
Matthew M: Yeah, but I have a lot I wanna say...about...things.
Interviewer Matthew: Please, no speaking.
And the interview continues next time. Or maybe it doesn't. I haven't decided. I promise the next entry will have a bit more content. As of now I am 22 years old. I live at home with my parents and my grandmother once told me I am pretty. I finished school a few months ago. I went to school for Computer Animation. I hope to cover my experiences later in a series of entries. You're in for a treat there. I am now currently working on my resume and portfolio and sending out applications to some potential companies. Some huge, some not so huge, but all equally important. We'll touch base on a lot of things I think are important in the game industry today. Hope you'll tune in next time.
You never know where you'll end up next when you're under the Reading Rainbow.
Send me feedback or any questions you might have to the following email address: