About David: I'm a game producer and cinematic designer. I'm currently working at 2K Marin on the XCOM franchise. Previously, I worked on Mercenaries 2 and The Saboteur. I've also worked on smaller games, producing an unpublished title for Killspace Entertainment and I provide business development for Blendo Games. Looking for a CV? Drop me a line..

MolyJam

I created a game in 48 hours with some friends for the 2012 Molydeux Game Jam.

http://molyjam.com/display.php?GameID=263

XCOM

See video

The game I'm working on @ 2K Marin

See video

Wanting to take advantage of E3 being in town, I ran two marketing experiments with Atom Zombie Smasher. First, a printed flyer with some art, details about the game and a free Steam key. The concept behind the flyer was to take advantage of the media and dev presence to gain some exposure for the game. Second, I turned the creation process of the flyer (in the form of a time lapse video) into a giveaway promotion. The aim was get some interest in the game and engage our community. I did this by stealthily embedding steam keys into the youtube annotations on the video itself. This made the promotion itself a game which I would provide clues to via facebook & twitter.

How'd it go overall?

E3 2011

From Dust
Skulls of the Shogun
Trenched
Battlefield 3
Arkham City
Gotham Imposters
Trials Revolution
Prey 2

Bootcamp Directions

Directions for installing Windows 7 64 on a 2006 Mac Pro w/fully functioning Bootcamp 3.x. Mostly for my own reference.

You'll need: 1. Windows Disc 2. Bootcamp Drivers (burned/downloaded/retail os x disc)

1. Run the Bootcamp Assistant and make your partition.
2. Insert Windows Disc
3. Note which drive bay your main OS X partition is located on.
4. Shutdown and remove OS X partition drive.
5. Boot w/ option and install Windows from disc.
6. Eject Windows Disc, insert Bootcamp disc (cd tray will be open) and shutdown.
7. Re-install OS X drive.
8. Reboot. Windows should load by default.
9. Find Bootcamp/Bootcamp64.msi and run via 'troubleshoot compatibility'. Reboot.
10. Using regedit find instances of 'ForceDisableJD' and replace string '00' with 'FF'.
11. Profit.

Nintendo Re-Revolution

Nintendo rumors are running wild this week and Gamasutra is asking 'Should Nintendo launch the next generation now?'. I think so, yes. The time is right and depending on how they approach their next console, it could be great news for gamers, the industry and Nintendo. Here's what I'd like to see.

Nintendo takes a hardware lead: Its been 6 years since the launch of the current gen with the 360 and technology hasn't slowed its exponential cost/performance decrease. This should make it possible for Nintendo's new console to 1) overpower the current HD consoles 2) sell with a profit margin and 3) maintain a small footprint.

Games of E3 2010

Need for Speed felt and looked great. No one should be surprised since it's Criterion developed.

Limbo was getting some much deserved attention. It seems like they managed to make something more than an art game and I can't wait to play it, alone, in the dark and at 2am.

I didn't go hands on with Epic Mickey but its mechanics looked very solid. If they can deliver on the storytelling front I think Mickey might be the start of a new franchise.

E3 2010 Game Changers

The 3DS gets my vote for biggest game changer of E3 2010. If anyone is able to bring 3D technology to the masses it's Nintendo. I enjoyed Avatar for the spectacle it is but remain thoroughly unconvinced about 3D in the living room any time soon (<5 years). Yet, Nintendo's wonderful little machine makes 3D inviting and natural where other types of 3D are awkward and disorienting. Layer on top of that an apple-like approach of throwing in everything except the latest kitchen sink technology and you have a toy that sits right up there with the iPhone technologically and can capture kids' imaginations.

I've been reading Dee Hock's book 'One from Many' and must've been watching some pundit (or was it a mock pundit?) and got to thinking about how protective people say they are about the principles of this country. That reminded me of an argument that I used to have with my Grandmother. Whenever we would talk about the issues of the day and after discussing topics at length, my conclusion was almost always 'we need a new government, we need revolution'. What I meant by that was simply: civilization as a whole has evolved many different forms of government, why should we so arrogantly assume that our democracy is the pinnacle of that evolution? So, like many Americans, she responded by stressing the importance of the principles upon which the country was founded. But that's where there is a dissonance, I agree with most of the principles that helped found this country, but those principles no longer guide our country in any meaningful fashion.

LA without wheels

This post reminded me that I've been living (mostly) car-free for a few months and that I should share my experience.

A year and a month ago I started riding my bike from our apartment in Culver City to work @ Pandemic in Westwood (about 5-6mi each way). I started riding for a number of reasons; my fiance was tired of sharing a car, I needed the exercise, it's less expensive but mainly because I hated driving on the westside. Every Los Angelian knows that driving on the westside is akin to bathing in that negative-emotion-jizz from Ghostbusters 2. Driving on the westside was sapping my love for driving automobiles and that's coming from someone who has owned 8 cars and raced/drifted for many years.