Is it just me, or?

[Dopples]

Is it just me, or is the next generation of games scaring other people too? I mean, my ultimate goal is to gain a certain level of game making skills so that I can actually make commercial games for a living. However, it seems that with all the new technology coming about in the systems, even my precious gameboy color seems obsolete. The level of skill just to design a single object with such detail must be immensely tough to pull off. I'm just saying, I'm only 15, so if I want to get into commercial games with the best possible start I can get, I would technically have to learn everything I need in 3 years non stop, and quite frankly, I don't see myself doing this, which has really discouraged me. With all the school work I have to do, and me being in a foreign exchange program, my schedule barely allows me the time to learn this stuff. I mean, when I played my N64 endlessly, I always said to myself, "I wanna make this!".


What I'm basicaly asking is, is anyone else kinda scared about making games on next generation consoles?

 

[Ceroscuro]

That's why learning how to do things in programming languages isn't necessarily as important as understanding them. You could be the best damn programmer there is in a certain language, but the way the technology works, that language will be almost unheardof in a few years.

So to answer your question, it's just you. I could've told you this before. If you know anything about technology, you know how quickly it enhances.

 

[Dopples]

It's not just programming, it's the graphical part too. As we get into more realistic graphics, just think how hard it is to make a single object with the amount of detail as in, say FFXIII. And that's not even the extent of the PS3's graphical power. Making and animating the 3-D models, I can see being a pain.

 

[TheBlackMarket]

The graphical aspect of game creation has scared me to death ever since the Xbox came around. I fear that there'll be no place for sprites by the time I get in the industry... I mean, I have pretty rudimentary modeling skils that I could probably develop, but I like sprites damn it!

As for the programming... nah, I'm not worried.

 

[Mr.Mo]

That's why learning how to do things in programming languages isn't necessarily as important as understanding them. You could be the best damn programmer there is in a certain language, but the way the technology works, that language will be almost unheardof in a few years.

So to answer your question, it's just you. I could've told you this before. If you know anything about technology, you know how quickly it enhances.

No.

Programing Language != Technology

With your theory;
C++ should have already dissepeared. Why? Computers today are so fast, they can Handle easy to use languages like VB no problem .

Coding is not something I'm worried of. If you understand the "Theory of Programing", there shouldn't be any reason why you can't use other programing languages.

That said;
Graphics I'm not worried either, I am no Artist.

 

[Ceroscuro]

But even though programming languages aren't the same as technology, it still happens just slightly slower. They certainly change much more than most other professions and their related... stuff.

 

[FoxDemonSoavi]

The graphical aspect of game creation has scared me to death ever since the Xbox came around. I fear that there'll be no place for sprites by the time I get in the industry... I mean, I have pretty rudimentary modeling skils that I could probably develop, but I like sprites damn it!

As for the programming... nah, I'm not worried.

there will be a place for sprites in the indie world on computers :<

 

[TheBlackMarket]

@soavi
Yeah, but I wanna be able to feed my family (...heh.... when I get one) with a job making sprites. This indie stuff isn't going to cut it.

 

[ryanwh]

Well uh, as far as the US goes spriting hasnt been a marketable profession in a decade. PS sprites were and are rendered initially on computers.

 

[arcthemonkey]

Sprites will never die.

But think about it this way - look at cutscenes in early PS2 games. You just need to get caught up. If you practice enough at 3D you get to the point where you get retardedly good at things, and eventually these consoles will render anything we put in them.

Be able to do this:
http://img149.imageshack.us/img149/2518/mantp1.jpg[/IMG]
And yer prolly set for forever graphically speaking.

(That's what I'm trying to do, but just so I can show off.)

Cuz seriously, once game look like that, I don't imagine we will be buying any new consoles any time soon.

 

[ryanwh]

Holy crap, arc. Yeah...that'll be the apex. By then people will just make sims of how life was in 1995 or something, what with the nuclear holocaust and all.
Once an engine's made that can make people that detailed randomly compiled and proportioned, well be just like God. Bored, and instilling conflict in the AI just for something amusing to watch.

 

[Norris]

Games are supposed to be an enjoyable experience. And to succeed in that regard, all you really need is a creative mind. Technical skills may help, but they don’t form an absolute requirement. The value found in aesthetical quality is worth much less than the value found in content, in my humble opinion.

I’m not worried at all.

 

[Dopples]

But the way I see the industry, it takes a long time before you can just vouch the basis of the game, and having little experience with programming and graphical design doesn't help you get up there. Sure, there's a few lucky ones (The creator of Katamari Damacy for example), but more then likely, if you want to be able to make a living by making games, you need to be able to give out results, not just stories or game ideas. I can tell that you won't survive long if you don't keep up to date with your abilities.

 

[Fafnir]

I really hope sprites live on. If not sprites, I hope that cell shading reaches a level that it can replicate the detail of some sprites(Guilty fucking Gear). I don't care if they "aren't as fluid as models" or "can't do 3D", Sprites add a certain feel to a game that you just can't get with models.

 

[Norris]

@Dopples: Those managers who strictly adopt such a mindset are most likely on the verge of losing their job, or probably are already lining up claiming welfare. Whether it is through competent staff with shitty ideas, or shitty staff with excellent ideas, the chances of a business’ success (or failure) can equally be found in both. FFX-2 proved that having above industry standard game design is not everything.

There will always be room for those people with just an idea and nothing else (just the basics).

Sprites add a certain feel to a game that you just can't get with models.

Yup, which is why it is wrong to view 3D graphics with the impression that it is an upgrade from 2D. They appeal to two completely different markets. Sprites will ALWAYS have a place in gaming. I see no reason to its irrelevance.

 

[Jennestia]

Well since I have messed with the PS2 dev kit before, the next gen does scare me a bit, but not so much. The kits never change, nor does the modeling. The only thing is, that it's able to render lighting effects much better (which really shows more detail on 3D models if anything) and the fact 3D artists have more room to work in perse. As people have said..if you get stupidly good with 3D rendering, it won't be as scary as you think. The programming never changes, so if you learn the basic programming languages, you won't have any problems in the industry at all, the only thing that really changes console-to-console, is merely the graphics, memory and power.

 

[ryanwh]

I really hope sprites live on. If not sprites, I hope that cell shading reaches a level that it can replicate the detail of some sprites(Guilty fucking Gear). I don't care if they "aren't as fluid as models" or "can't do 3D", Sprites add a certain feel to a game that you just can't get with models.

*bubble burst*
Guilty Gear didnt use sprites. They were animated frames. When they get that big, they're using the techniques of animators, NOT spriters. Definetly not pixel by pixel. That's the evolution of spriting, basically becoming an animator.

 

[eternal_magus]

That 3D model is stupidly good.

 

[TheBlackMarket]

I just hope all games don't end up looking hyper-realistic...

@ryan
When making animated sprites, you have to use some animation techniques. I think what you're trying to say is something along the lines of "the Guilty Gear sprites were drawn with vector lines and then exported with no anti-aliasing" or whatever it is they did. They're still sprites. Well, at least handhelds will still be an acceptable place for sprites... I hope...

 

[ryanwh]

I guess they could be considered sprites, but idunno. If I resized a drawing I did and cut out the background, I wouldnt be comfortable calling it a sprite even if it was the same size and function of one. Cus pixel spriting takes a lot more talent but being good at one doesnt make oneself good at the other. I just assumed he was a "traditional" spriter AKA pixel by pixel in which case sprites liek Guilty Gear are really a different animal.