User:Mija Win
Hi! My name is Kraig Walker and I'm a 16 year old student currently studying Art and Computer Systems. It's a nice mix. Since I started out playing with the Warcraft III map editor I've been hooked on creating new worlds and game modes in existing games. It's really helped open my eyes to how much there is still left to be done in this industry and how limitless the potentials are.
My Vision
In the future, both Story and Game Feel will be two important players in what makes a successful video game. Some developers do story better than others, but a lot of studios right now are moving away from the traditional single player campaign and replacing it with co-operative and multiplayer modes. This era will only remain interesting for so long, and it certainly puts a time limit on the lifespan of videogames.
With so many technical and design improvements, single player gaming is still the best way to give the player a kick ass experience, whther it be on the PC, console or mobile phone. With a lot of new "casual" players coming up to their anniversaries with their Wii's they're going to start looking for more immersive and challenging experiences. Only the good old hardcore single player title can deliver that.
Game Feel is also important to the future of games. It's an often overlooked part of game design, but is one of the most important things in making sure that the player has a good time. Good games are games that master the "feel" of controlling your character/army/etc in the game. The reason why so many Wii developers fail is because they don't use the controllers well enough. Nintendo takes the win because it always keeps in mind what it would actually be like to hold a sword/wheel/gun in your hand and come up with a suitable way of using the Wii Remote, or create a completely new peripheral to give the best experience. So many games fail because they try to fight against the controls, automatically telling the player to hold the remote sideways and bash buttons instead, and just for kicks make you perform an awkward flick. It doesn't work, and there will continue to be flaws until designers pay more attention to game feel, not just in the consoles, but PC and Mobiles too.
Maps
My first map was boxing_v3 it currently exists on FPSBANANA until I release a better take of it. It has inspired several clones of the design, but it is a design I want to improve upon and design a better environment for what can be a hilarious little minigame when mixed with the right players.
I'm currently working on pl_convoy. Convoy was a great UT 2004 map and ctf_convoy caught my eye to have promise. The trouble is though convoy does not suit the ctf_style, after all, it was designed as an Attack/Defend map originally. pl_convoy will not use any elements from the ctf_version, after all, they aren't mine. But will include various gameplay elements from the original Unreal Tournament version (such as the bridge, blowing doors) enhanced for the gameplay of Team Fortress 2. Have no fear, it will be out when it's ready.
Modifications
The Forgotten
The Forgotten is a highly experimental game project making use of the Episode 2 SDK. This game has next to no gameplay, but is more like a ghost tour around an exceptionally creepy island and several encounters with it's past inhabitants. The mod is currently in production and screenshots and resources will be released closer to it's unveiling in September 2009.
Waiting For Godot
This project is to experiment with videogame engines as a form of direct storytelling. The player sits back and watches an elaborately scripted sequence of a performance of Samuel Beckett's "Waiting For Godot"
This mod is currently in the planning phase, but there will be openings for modellers and voice actors soon once the Forgotten and subsequent maintenance to it has been carried out.
Happy To Help
I'm always happy to take time out and help people with any level design or creation problems. I only help people who have maps that already exist and try to get things off the ground for them. If you need a hand, just fire a message to me on my Steam Page.