So…i decided i wanted to develop games. Why you ask. Well there are many reasons. Ever since i owned a spectrum ZX2+ i’ve wanted to make computer games. I remember being about 5 and ‘designing’ a game called Bears. It was basically a lemmings copy but instead of lemmings there were bears. They also did all their actions with their ears for some reason. The main reason this didn’t get off the ground was i became very busy playing Treasure Island Dizzy (incidentally i could never find the outboard motor for the boat in that game).

Also i’m currently a .Net developer. While my work is enjoyable i do kinda resent having to make stuff for other peoples benefit. I want to make stuff for my own benefit. I should be the one benefiting from my labours. Also i’ve played computer games since i was able to walk. The earliest memory i have of my late father is when he brought home a spectrum 48K and let me stay up late playing a space invaders clone (i have a space invaders tattoo that commemorates this memory). So the obvious conclusion is to make computer games. I have development skillz so it shouldn’t be too hard right.

My first project is going to be very small indeed. I’m making a match 3 game for Android devices. The reasons are twofold:

1. I’ll have to develop in Java allowing me to become more proficient in a language i haven’t used since i was at university

2. It’ll allow me to understand how to make a game. As the game will be fairly small scale i should be able to complete it fairly quickly. This will mean i’ll have made at least 1 ‘product’

In addition, since discussing these ideas with a friend she too has expressed an interest in game development. We have decided to collaborate (of sorts, we’re going to do two separate projects but critique each other’s work and offer solutions where possible). We have called our venture ‘Twin Pines Studios’ and are very pleased with that name indeed

More post will follow with some actual information about the progress of the games themselves.