A new project, kids @ home due to COVID: business as usual.

Enjoy the read!

Rework on Find the Gnome

First I will share with you some juicy screenshots of my work. Here I am reworking a level on Find the Gnome.

In the past months I did a lot of remodeling to create new low-poly model replacements for the original models. Here you can see the old and new vegetation side by side. As you can see I need to adjust a few of them to increase their size, but other than that I am pleased with the results so far.

Gun model improvements for Manage the Universe

I am not working on Manage the Universe currently, I am taking a bit of distancing from the current concept /prototype to make sure I am going in the right direction. One specific thing I want to decide on before continuing is the art style.

So when my daughter asked to join her with drawing, I happily accepted it and took it as an opportunity to experiment.

There are a few things to notice here:

• Unit types: I am thinking about how to create more units without having to create models from scratch. Giving factions 1 base type and then create a few variations, is a thing common in other franchises. The hover boat would be one base type, that walker with the external control pod on top would be another base type. Same goes for giving factions ‘preferred’ gun types, like rocket based vs laser based.
• Adding details to units: I created a hover boat but I am not satisfied. The current model feels lifeless and rough. So in the concept drawing above you can see that I tried to make some adjustments. I added the green stripes, those would be ‘radiating’ light. And I added a few ventilation panels on the side. And I worked the wings open, like wings present in the old Lego sets. Same goes for the turret’s hull, there I added a few nuts and bolts to give it an interesting shape.
• Gun types: with the idea of having base units came the idea of having base gun types for factions. If they have rockets on their units, they should have rockets on their ships. And these models should look and operate alike. I am not totally sure yet because this will probably make the faction less balanced, but I could counter that by having faction specifics while also providing some generic guns and unit models for all factions.
• Adding details to guns: inspired by the Star Wars franchise and the game Forts, I tried to create a few interesting gun barrels that had more to them than just ‘being sticks that point to the sky’. Moving parts, visible internals, interesting shapes, outside wiring/tubing, heavy muzzle flash effects and of course totally different types (laser, rocket, gun/mass, fluid).

New projects

Creating new projects is a healthy entrepreneurial practice. So when people come to me with a project they like themselves, I always listen. If their project resonates with my own capabilities and my own vision of my future, I will gladly join their efforts.

Here is the path I take when handling requests like this:

1. I like talking about random stuff, and I like to solve problems. So I like to make time to talk about someone’s idea.
2. While talking I use my work-structuring skills to help them get to the core of their issue. This is always a healthy balance of empathetic listening and technical checks. There is a reason why you came to me, and chances are this is because of my experience and/or my ‘cut to the chase’ method of working.
3. If you came to me with no other expectations than that you wanted to sort out your own stuff, then this is where it ends normally. You got some new perspectives, I got a nice talk (and hopefully a drink) out of it.

However, some people have additional expectations. They want me to join them on their project and contribute my skills and time. That’s no problem to me. You can always hire me… but that’s only option 1. Option 2 is that you want me to join you and invest and then we both get paid when this idea works out. This 2nd option will lead to this ‘sub flow’:

1. I will get through your whole proposed idea again. But this time I am critical on the viability of the project. The ‘time invested vs possible rewards for me’ kind of estimation. I am going to point out things that I personally think should be addressed first if you want me to join.
2. When pointing out issues, I always offer solutions and/or try to work out something that could reduce the risks. From personal experience I do know how hard it is to bang your head against the wall trying to make something work, so I am not going to leave you alone on that one. And, there is 2 of us: our combined experiences in a well connected conversation can make the difference.
3. And then, when it is clear what the root issue is that needs solving, I have to find out if giving it my time makes a difference. Because I am an engineer with a specific toolset, and it might not make sense to join me in (at this moment in the project).
4. And if it makes sense that my contribution to the project is worth it, I still need to do one additional check: is this in my own best interest? I have to decide if I like this type of work (short time benefits) and where this gets me in life (the long run benefits). And, time spent here cant be spend on something else, so I should also factor in ‘opportunity costs’.

So yeah. A lot of things need to be decided when starting new projects. And, to be honest, these ‘checks and balances’ are something that I do each few months on all my projects to see if they are still heading in the right direction (but then in a bit ‘dumbed down’ version that isnt that much on ‘stopping’ the project but rather ‘being more real about its potential’).