Everlasting is a three man project created as my last assignment in college and my first fully fledged game. In it, I got to flex my gameplay mind and design four of the six puzzles through the game, how they would all link and also some asset creation. It was through this escape room game that I first realised my love for the puzzle creating and further more, the enjoyment of watching others struggle and overcome things that I helped to create. It was during these beta tests that I was fully pulled into the interest of how everyone solves puzzles differently, think differently. We put in puzzles that could both be figured out in game, but also gave a gamer with a wider knowledge a helping hand without them realising it. Watching one of the testers stumble upon a correct answer while fumbling with one of the puzzles brought a smile to my own face as he shouted in joy and surprise.
The team; me(designer), an asset creator and a coder was one that felt perfectly well and we all dabbled in each others areas with the support of the team. The time spent working on the game was one of my most enjoyable as I felt like an equal rather than a need to lead or be lead. I also got to stretch my coding skills through the dining room puzzle and my asset creation and rigging through the piano animations.
With this, I was able to catch a glimpse of what could be possible with a cohesive team and I decided I’d never enjoy working alone as more as I did working with peers of a like mind.
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Like most others looking to work in this industry, games are a key interest. My love for games stems first from my love of books, with games now offering me the chance to make my own choices and lead the story in my own way. Games that allow the player to make their own choices and choose the direction of the story is something that inspires me heavily and I hope one day I could be part of making something that helps the player feel that same sense of awe and freedom that I do in the games I play.
From a young age I was raised to be a hard worker and have always strived to put my best foot forward in whatever I do. While I may suffer frustration, and maybe sometimes lose a little confidence in completing a challenge, I have learned to look to the end goal and try to achieve my best, no matter whether I’m climbing Ben Nevis, working towards a first place in a dance competition or learning a new skill in the workplace.
Despite the difficult times we have all faced over the last year, I have still found ways to continue doing what I love; creating games.
In my spare time I have enjoyed making quizzes and challenges for my friends to take part in over long distance calls, made roleplay escape rooms for online communities, and worked on my personal skills to help me grow as a person.