First Session

What Skills do you bring?

I like to consider myself an all-rounder, jack of all trades etc.

I think that I am particularly good at documentation, 3D modelling (medium to low-poly) and Photoshop. I'm also good at scripting, level design and texture creation.

Prior to Uclan, I started my journey creating 2D fan games for my own amusement, then I went onto creating my own games. Following this I then started to get involved in creating levels for Unreal Tournament! After which I decided I want to try and make a career out of it. It was at this time I studied Games Design at Bolton and loved every minute of it.

Following my graduation, I managed to find my first job as a Junior Game & Level Designer for a German company In Frankfurt. Which is where I contributed to my first commercial game MiB to tie in with the 3rd movie, which was amazing!

Since then I took a good number of years out to raise family and do more indie work. During this time, I created models for an Xbox 360 indie game called Figure 8 Racing and some Google Play games. Which then led onto me pursing the next stage in my education so I can again get back into the industry.

What interests you?

I like the idea of furthering design; how games ideas and mechanics influence the final project. How past games are built upon to create new experiences. Or how games can be so original that they in-turn create many inspired games and / or genres of their own.

Super Metroid 1994

An example of this is Super Metroid (my favourite game), although it is the 3rd title in the series, Nintendo managed to perfect the design through each iteration to create something fully masterful. Ushering in a genre of its own dubbed Metroidvania. Many games since have used this template to great effect, and not only in this genre. Metroid was one of the first games that use the mechanic of self-exploration without aid, which has influenced modern games in multiple forms. Such as Dark Souls (yes, un-mapped exploration) which is an unrelated genre. The mechanic has also been extended upon through the years and is used in many titles in the form of fog-of-war.

What is your initial idea for Ma study?

Following on from my previous point; I want to explore the ideas behind how old games influence new games and genres. Why old games are re-created / remastered and how well these games-with possibly outdated mechanics-translate to a modern demographic. Also explore whether remakes / remasters are detrimental to the industry or not and explore their impact.

What things are you going to look at?

I want to look at both successful and unsuccessful games within the criteria mentioned in the last section. Games such as these include; "New" Mario games, Sonic games (The Sonic Cycle) and Pokemon. And other not as mainstream games like: Full Throttle, Mickeys Castle of Illusion etc. 
Also look at unfavourable titles too such as: Deadpool, Dungeon Keeper, the new Aladdin / Lion King etc.

Basically, I want to look at games that have some success, either in their original release, re-release or both, and even how some games seem to be exempt from this.

By doing this I hope to find and establish a connection between a successful remake and an unsuccessful one to help differentiate the two. To further my understanding of Games Design, so that I may follow my own research and demonstrate how to create a successful remaster. Hopefully to be able to show how old mechanics can translate to a modern title and be successful!