So, it's been more than 2 years since my last post here, and nearly 3 years since my last "discussion" post. What happened? Basically, I went to college. In 2008, I applied to the Savannah College of Art and Design (http://www.scad.edu/), hoping to get into their Interactive Design and Game Development program. As an art school, their application required a portfolio submission, and I included some of my best mod work for Freedom Force in mine. I got in. With real life getting so hectic, what with the moving and schoolwork, and huge projects, I guess I kind of "drifted" away from here.
Aside from 1 small SCAD project (that was what my last post in the "Requests for Skins and Meshes" forum was about), I haven't done anything with Freedom Force since the last Matrix Mod. But I have done plenty of work on game content. Once I started taking my actual major courses at SCAD, it was like the stuff I did here, but with actual professional tools. I learned how to actually make 3d models (with Maya instead of 3ds Max, but it's still pretty close), and make levels and stuff in the Unreal Engine using the Unreal Development Kit. I was doing meshes, skins, maps, scripting, and so on, but with the tools that the "pros" actually use. I can't emphasize enough how much my mod work with Freedom Force helped me develop the skills I needed for this.
During my last semester (the last 6 months, basically), I was part of a senior group project with about 20 other people, where we made an actual game in the Unreal Engine. I was the technical lead: I handled the programming, advanced scripting, and generally made the game work. I also contributed to various aspects of the game wherever it was needed. If you want to see more about the game, its website is here (http://lostfaithgame.weebly.com/).
And a few days ago, I graduated. Now, I'm back home with no real idea what's going to happen next. Right now, I'm just sending out job applications to various game companies. I've been talking in the cover letters about how I got my start making mods for Freedom Force, and it brought back memories. So, I thought I should check back in here now that I have some time again. I don't know how long I'll stay or how active I'll be, but we'll just see how this goes.
I don't think we've corresponded before, but I recognized your name when I saw this post. Welcome back. I just wanted to congratulate you on graduating. I don't think I'm wrong by saying that a lot of us here wish we could be doing what you're about to be doing. I wish you luck. If you don't get that big time gaming job right off the bat, I hope that you can find something that can at least utilize and/or build upon your current skill set. Please, keep us posted.
Conduit! It's been a long time, buddy. Nice to see you again, and congrats on graduating. Hopefully, someone from the gaming industry scoops you up because you're a talented fellow, and I can only imagine the feats you can pull off now. Positive vibes your way, man.
Hey Conduit, welcome back! Gonna see about DLing that game later on.
I wish you luck in the jobs field. I'm glad you went to school and majored in something you liked. Jobs will come.
I looked at the screenshots of the game....that's awesome! I like the title too. I'm almost afraid to play it.
Good luck to you as well from me. It is so great when you actully can follow through on something you enjoy like this!
Welcome back Conduit. And congrats to you on graduating and on putting this game together!
Good to see you back, Conduit. Congratulations on your graduation and kudos on your college game project...Well done!
Dana