Cookouts, GTA, AI, and Cheesesteaks

Hey Guys

Boy do I feel guilty writing after a long period of absence. I think I'm just old school like that; you know, how websites should maintain a steady stream of content in order to keep its frequent visitors happy. Now a days, we have the amazing technology called RSS and an average user may subscribed to hundreds of such blogs. It's no excuse for such a long period of absence so I do apologize. I'll try and pick up where I left off. Oh and as a quick shout out; had it not been for Steve VanZandtm, our past instructor for Rules of the Game here at FullSail, it may have even longer.

So GDC! Yea it came, it passed.

After GDC, I had took a class in OpenGL and focused deeply on graphics. Over the course of March my understanding of hardware, the pipeline, and shaders grew immensely.

What else I learned, is that compared to my friend Joseph Thomas (if the name doesn't sound familiar, don't worry it will soon), I am not very fund of graphics programming.

Still that didn't stop me from learning enough to finally develop my own DX framework for future projects. This is largely thanks to the tutorials by Chad Vernon. Who's cvxporter I finaly got working (feel free to e-mail me if you have trouble).

Cookouts

So for those that don't know. The bunch of us in GD have been organizing cookouts at Wardpark (Cady Way park) for a few months now. If all goes well, we hope to turn these events into an official club (The Game Networking Club). We usually play football, soccer, Frisbee, talk, eat, and last time even had a chess set out. Everyone is pretty much welcome, it's largely informal. We do ask for $3 or to bring your own food. Either will help in the lot, and we always have left overs. Our next meet is this Sunday May 11th. Don't forget to send your mom a card ;)

AI

OK so I finally get to rant a little. This is the class I've been dieing to take since I first signed up to attend FullSail. I've had the opportunity to meet and drink with Jeremiah Blanchard, our AI instructor, and he's a great guy. First day of class is tomorow and I expect to be on campus at like 5 am. I've already finished the first lab (I know we aren't supposed to), and having my DX framework complete I plan on finally building up my portfolio in the area I'm so passionate about.

The Portfolio

I know, I know. I've talking about this for so long and yet straystudios.com has remained static for over a year now. I'll make up for it hopefully soon (maybe not this month, but before September). Steve who is a veteran from the Digital Arts and Design department is willing to lend me a hand on my layout, I would really like to produce it in Flash.

Cheesesteaks

I'm a huge fan of Philadelphia. I've grown up on the Philadelphia cheesesteak. I'm talking about Pats and Genos baby. None of that imitation. Until recent, there hasn't been much to quench my hunger in that department. I'll keep this to the point. University and Goldenrod. There's an amazing place called "Phil's Famous Cheesesteaks". Best ones I've had in Winter Park.

Well that's it for now. More soon. Promise.