I'm totally humbled by game developers.
I might have a Ph.D. in physics, but when I see or play a good game, it blows me away--all the coding, art, storytelling, and design, and the massive coordinated collaboration--it just blows me away.
I've always loved literature, storytelling, movies, and physics.
It seems that all of these are converging in video games.
I'll be setting up some sites to get the project(s) underway:
AUTUMN RANGERSIt might take years to complete, but that's OK.
I've spent two years on a 500 page novel and feature-length screenplay, with the same classical/contemporary plot--there's a lot of action and cool characters including a US Marine (Ranger), a supercompuer with AI (APRIL), a hot folksinger with special powers created by APRIL (Autumn), and evil RoboDrones and RoboClones also created by APRIL after she was turned against Ranger.
AUTUMN RANGERSI have an agent and I've been living out in Hollywood some--I may be involved in a conference that'll feature storytelling in videogames this spring.
I'm friends with a couple musicians who've had songs featured on MTV/TV--one got nominated for a grammy, so we could probably use their music for a movie/video game on down the line.
It'll be interesting to see which drops first--the screenplay/video game/novel/website.
But just working on Autumn Rangers is pay enough.
The best advice that I've ever seen, and it comes up over and over again, is follow your passions.
Joe Esteraus (Basic Instinct/Jagged Edge/Footloose) said it.
Ralph Waldo Emerson said it.
Practically every book on video game design I've seen says it.
Feel free to drop me a line at ranger@jollyroger.com
If anyone lives in the Research Triangle (North Carolina) or LA, it could be fun to meet up.
Autumn Rangers -- Storytelling in books, movies, and videogames. http://autumnrangersgame.com