Jack of All Trades but Master of None!
Familiar phrase, isn't it?
That is the precise phrase that DOESN'T describes me. I may know a lot of things at the surface, but really that "a lot of things" is just a small significance compared to the every little thing in the world.
Even my current knowledge of my passion, drawing and design, are just little hobbies. Because the world of designing are really way bigger than what I think. I never existence of so many helpful sources of designing until yesterday when I was introduced to a website. It was so many designing tips and sources and freebies for designers! I spent literally hours to look through... Only some of them. I took like a lot of times to study them carefully each of them. I really wanted to execute some of the tutorials and tips given, but there are so many and I was lost as to what to start with first.
The world is always big. But when I tried to go deeper, I will feel like my brain cannot take it. What is wrong with me?! I want to be a Master! Not Pokémon Master! Sometimes my brain always deluded me in thinking I might be a leader quality, because most leaders are really just Jack of All Trades but Master of None. But the thing is I am a person who lacks confidence. I have doubts in my execution of command. Always have doubts. Always scared something will screw up. Always fear something negative will happen. That's why most of the time I rather taking people's command. Probably that is just a way to protect myself from any responsibility. During secondary school, I remembered many teachers gave me the role to exercise my leadership. But in the end, I was always too scared and shrugged the responsibility away... If I seized the opportunity right, maybe I would be a different person... Oh wells, taking about regrets...
Hope I will really become a Master. I shall study and train myself! But at home is just not the conducive environment for me to change myself... By travelling needs so much money... Oh wells, talking about being poor. I must really find a way to break the poverty.
Otherwise, it is just the ignorant Me.
The same old me.
Saturday, November 30, 2013
Saturday, October 26, 2013
Mini Post 11: Different viewpoints
Still remembered the networking session I have went.
I remembered the conversation between the 2 veterans.
They both agreed that game making should be a constant development of new games and ideas.
Not like staying in your comfort zones.
Not like Japanese who keep making games out of popular series.
They quoted games such as "Final Fantasy"...
Both are different perspectives.
But it got me thinking.
Are these Singaporean game makers still finding their way to make a popular game?
Because what I can see now,
Is Japanese are still making profit from the games from FF series.
Even though the game may not be as good as the previous titles,
It still attracted people to play.
Is hard to come up with great games. I know.
But once you made a hit,
Of course the natural reaction is to continue making the game.
And of course not just to make the game to ruin it.
But constantly improving and writing good storylines.
Hmm...
I remembered the conversation between the 2 veterans.
They both agreed that game making should be a constant development of new games and ideas.
Not like staying in your comfort zones.
Not like Japanese who keep making games out of popular series.
They quoted games such as "Final Fantasy"...
Both are different perspectives.
But it got me thinking.
Are these Singaporean game makers still finding their way to make a popular game?
Because what I can see now,
Is Japanese are still making profit from the games from FF series.
Even though the game may not be as good as the previous titles,
It still attracted people to play.
Is hard to come up with great games. I know.
But once you made a hit,
Of course the natural reaction is to continue making the game.
And of course not just to make the game to ruin it.
But constantly improving and writing good storylines.
Hmm...
Friday, October 11, 2013
Stubbornly Clinging onto the Foolish
Right after the day I posted the previous post, I was invited to a networking session among the Singapore Independent Gaming Scene.
I reached early and there are only a few people. One of them nicely approached me and asked what am I doing. I answered frankly and he turned away "nicely" like immediately after saying "Ok". Reality Hit: +1.
Then my friends started coming in, and he introduced me to his juniors in DigiPen. Looks like that school has really many connections with people working in the gaming field. I should have entered there... Sigh. He also introduced me to some big shots like CEO of a company. But most of them did not really seemed to have an interest in me. And when they were talking with my friends, they were talking a bunch of more business stuff than I did not understand at all. Reality Hit: +1.
Shortly after a short networking session, there were a segment of 7-8 mini presentations, which I found it very informative. One of the speakers I found it very very familiar, and I could not recall until he flashed his name in one of the slides. And turned out he was my tutor of NM2208. I went and approached him after the presentation, while he was talking with another girl, and hope he could give me some recommendation since he is now a game designer. Then 3 of us were talking about my portfolio then they were like saying NEVER put one of your works as "School Assignment". Well, some damages were already done since I have submitted that portfolio. Reality Hit: +1. We were talking about the companies I have applied too. When I mentioned Nubee, then the girl was saying that the company is not doing good in Singapore at all. Now, is like going to fall apart really soon. I was shocked again because the company was only around less than a year or so. So I guess I will not hear from this company ever. Reality Hit: +2.
Talking about the girl, I saw her with another guy, so she introduced me to him. But as the group started to grow, we were split into 2 groups, and the guy went to talk to my tutor, and I continued talking to the girl and my friend's juniors. The conversation slowly directed to the guy she came with. The girl suddenly said something like "So when he did Street Fighter X Megaman..." I stopped her immediately. WHAT?! He was the solo fighter behind the legendary game? Yes, I then talked to this guy who is still unemployed like me. WAIT! Unemployed?! How can it be right? Yes, reality is cruel. Even though he has created this game, but he is still jobless. Reality Hit: +100.
I did not have the chance to talk to the creator, so we had a chat online instead after adding each other in Facebook. He is almost having the same struggle as I do. He practically knows the Singapore gaming industry a lot more than me. The future ain't bright. He understand fully. Reality Hit: +10. Nevertheless, he is still going to pursue no matter what.
Now it just make me wonder if I should continue like him. The pay might be low. The future of gaming industry in Singapore might be forever bleak. For a person who just wants to stay here and work and in game industry sounds damn tough now... Why would I forever follow the path that is bloody hell difficult when there are so many easier path for me?
K.O.
Game Over... ?
I reached early and there are only a few people. One of them nicely approached me and asked what am I doing. I answered frankly and he turned away "nicely" like immediately after saying "Ok". Reality Hit: +1.
Then my friends started coming in, and he introduced me to his juniors in DigiPen. Looks like that school has really many connections with people working in the gaming field. I should have entered there... Sigh. He also introduced me to some big shots like CEO of a company. But most of them did not really seemed to have an interest in me. And when they were talking with my friends, they were talking a bunch of more business stuff than I did not understand at all. Reality Hit: +1.
Shortly after a short networking session, there were a segment of 7-8 mini presentations, which I found it very informative. One of the speakers I found it very very familiar, and I could not recall until he flashed his name in one of the slides. And turned out he was my tutor of NM2208. I went and approached him after the presentation, while he was talking with another girl, and hope he could give me some recommendation since he is now a game designer. Then 3 of us were talking about my portfolio then they were like saying NEVER put one of your works as "School Assignment". Well, some damages were already done since I have submitted that portfolio. Reality Hit: +1. We were talking about the companies I have applied too. When I mentioned Nubee, then the girl was saying that the company is not doing good in Singapore at all. Now, is like going to fall apart really soon. I was shocked again because the company was only around less than a year or so. So I guess I will not hear from this company ever. Reality Hit: +2.
Talking about the girl, I saw her with another guy, so she introduced me to him. But as the group started to grow, we were split into 2 groups, and the guy went to talk to my tutor, and I continued talking to the girl and my friend's juniors. The conversation slowly directed to the guy she came with. The girl suddenly said something like "So when he did Street Fighter X Megaman..." I stopped her immediately. WHAT?! He was the solo fighter behind the legendary game? Yes, I then talked to this guy who is still unemployed like me. WAIT! Unemployed?! How can it be right? Yes, reality is cruel. Even though he has created this game, but he is still jobless. Reality Hit: +100.
I did not have the chance to talk to the creator, so we had a chat online instead after adding each other in Facebook. He is almost having the same struggle as I do. He practically knows the Singapore gaming industry a lot more than me. The future ain't bright. He understand fully. Reality Hit: +10. Nevertheless, he is still going to pursue no matter what.
Now it just make me wonder if I should continue like him. The pay might be low. The future of gaming industry in Singapore might be forever bleak. For a person who just wants to stay here and work and in game industry sounds damn tough now... Why would I forever follow the path that is bloody hell difficult when there are so many easier path for me?
K.O.
Game Over... ?
Tuesday, October 8, 2013
Clinging onto the Foolish
It has been nearly 4 months ever since I have graduated. Almost all my friends had already found a job, while I still rotting at home playing and drawing, playing and drawing, playing and drawing, and having some short meetups with other friends too.
While some of my jobless friends still continue to hunt for prospective jobs, I only sent out 3 applications to 3 game companies in Singapore and have been slowly waiting for replies patiently. Some might say what the hell am I doing, sending out these few. Some might think I am overly confident that I will surely get called from these companies. Well, I have to say I am neither. But just acting like a foolish boy, hoping to get called.
So far, only 1 of them replied after 12 days. That was the dream company I was hoping to get in. They required me to write an essay why would I want to join a game company and how would I contribute. The challenge is: To write in both Japanese and English. I was damn excited, and wanted to submit that essay as fast as possible without them having to wait for me too long. Writing in English has always been my weakest. The readers of my blog should have known. You could probably seen it easily while you are reading this piece of crap. In the past, I always have my writing vet before I submit, but this time I thought of using my own strength to do it: Without let people vetting it, and I would check it by myself. However, it was been another 13 days and no reply yet... Probably I have always been weak in writing English in the academic writing style. (Everything I wrote in English wrote so far is just as good as a primary school kid standard.) Probably my lousy Japanese. (Got a N2 so what? It did not test our writing skills.) Probably I have ruined the precious chance for me to get my job in the dream company...
Nevertheless, I am still waiting for them to reply me. I tell myself to give them 2 weeks before I start making my move.
If you ask me why game company casually, I will just say no reason. I believe people like things for no reason. Just like why some people like this particular thing, or even why people like this girlfriend or this boyfriend. I just think like making game is just enjoyable thing. Making fantasy world alive. Isn't this reason sufficient enough? Of course when I was asked to write an essay I will not write such a thing. It was a more elaborate account based on this simple reason.
Things in life is already so complicated. So why not take a step back and make it easier and simpler? It just makes me wonder now if the recruiting team is looking for a more complicated reason...
I just want to be a part of a big team that create amazing game that people could enjoy. If this ideology is wrong, I wish someone from the industry can hit me on the head now and advise me to switch path.
Please let this wait be worthwhile...
While some of my jobless friends still continue to hunt for prospective jobs, I only sent out 3 applications to 3 game companies in Singapore and have been slowly waiting for replies patiently. Some might say what the hell am I doing, sending out these few. Some might think I am overly confident that I will surely get called from these companies. Well, I have to say I am neither. But just acting like a foolish boy, hoping to get called.
So far, only 1 of them replied after 12 days. That was the dream company I was hoping to get in. They required me to write an essay why would I want to join a game company and how would I contribute. The challenge is: To write in both Japanese and English. I was damn excited, and wanted to submit that essay as fast as possible without them having to wait for me too long. Writing in English has always been my weakest. The readers of my blog should have known. You could probably seen it easily while you are reading this piece of crap. In the past, I always have my writing vet before I submit, but this time I thought of using my own strength to do it: Without let people vetting it, and I would check it by myself. However, it was been another 13 days and no reply yet... Probably I have always been weak in writing English in the academic writing style. (Everything I wrote in English wrote so far is just as good as a primary school kid standard.) Probably my lousy Japanese. (Got a N2 so what? It did not test our writing skills.) Probably I have ruined the precious chance for me to get my job in the dream company...
Nevertheless, I am still waiting for them to reply me. I tell myself to give them 2 weeks before I start making my move.
If you ask me why game company casually, I will just say no reason. I believe people like things for no reason. Just like why some people like this particular thing, or even why people like this girlfriend or this boyfriend. I just think like making game is just enjoyable thing. Making fantasy world alive. Isn't this reason sufficient enough? Of course when I was asked to write an essay I will not write such a thing. It was a more elaborate account based on this simple reason.
Things in life is already so complicated. So why not take a step back and make it easier and simpler? It just makes me wonder now if the recruiting team is looking for a more complicated reason...
I just want to be a part of a big team that create amazing game that people could enjoy. If this ideology is wrong, I wish someone from the industry can hit me on the head now and advise me to switch path.
Please let this wait be worthwhile...
Friday, August 16, 2013
踏進臺灣的第一步
童年的天真無邪。
青年的年少無知。
大學的刻苦銘心。
人生終于到了學業的終點。
大學的辛酸旅程也在四年里告一段落。在新加坡就讀大學還真得面對人生最現實的一面。真是還搞不懂爲何全國大學排行榜次會那麽高，搞不懂爲何有那麽多人想在這就讀，更搞不懂爲何那麽多外國學生會想來這裡。更令我驚訝的是，在這四年里，我始終搞不懂以上的問題。
別管了！
既然已畢業，那就該搞個轟轟烈烈的慶祝派對！其實這派對早在考試之前就已成定局。就是人生的唯一一次畢業旅行。撇開日本不談（畢竟是學校贊助的文化之旅），我和我幾個死黨計劃到臺灣，一起那~魯~灣~！
臺灣一直以來是我嚮往的地方之一。還記得小時候就已經開始看吳宗憲的節目。那時候相當有名的食字路口，就是看著那些垂涎欲滴的美食，讓我從那刻起想去臺灣的念頭。看了十幾年的綜藝節目，多多少少縂會碰到美食相關的話題，都總會讓我羡慕不已。爲什麽臺灣美食總會不斷創新，追求完美，令人回味呢？越想就越想馬上到臺灣探個究竟。在2013年，這夢想終于能夠實現。
話不多說！
進入正題。
第一站：墾丁
難得到了臺灣，也應該享受一下風光明媚的大自然。到山上的頂端鳥瞰綠意盎然的景色、到沙灘曬曬太陽、嬉戲海水、玩些海上活動。居住在步伐超快的大都市，偶爾該抽空到自然風景區呼吸一些新鮮空氣，好讓整個疲憊的身軀得到完全的鬆懈。整個人的心情也會瞬間變好很多。
雖然是這麽說，可是我們第一次上山的過程可要我們的命！簡直是瘋了似的我們嘗試騎著腳踏車上坡。路途算辛苦，但終于到頂端的時候就會發覺一切是值得的。偶爾也該運動一下不是嗎？上山用了2-3小時，但下山只用了區區15分鐘！可見下山有多爽的。過後的上山過程可簡單多了，因爲我們包了車！
美食探險開始啦！我們的第一個夜市是墾丁大街。首次看到眼前的一切，還感覺是仿佛進入了夢境。從電視熒幕看了這麽多年，現在竟然是在眼前出現。此時的心情是，真是不知該從哪兒吃起！我們就沿路吃遍所有美食！
可真不能小看路邊小吃！試吃了幾個，有蠻多的味道真的是不得了啊！不知不覺買了那麽多小吃，結果一個人只花了新幣5元不等！而且還真的是吃到飽！
第二站：高雄/嘉儀
離開了自然區，我們到了高雄繼續美食之旅！聽説高雄有兩個夜市：瑞豐以及六合。而被推薦的是瑞豐，因爲六合夜市沒什麽看頭。爲了滿足好奇心，想探個究竟，我於是就去那兩個夜市看一看。一瞧，瑞豐夜市確實熱鬧，地方大、攤位多、琳琅滿目。我們在一夜里還真是走不完。可惜的是我們在高雄的時間其實不多，因此只有一個晚上的時間在瑞豐逛逛。
距離夜深既然還有一段時間，就順便到六合夜市看看。果然是與瑞豐夜市相比的確是天高地遠。街道雖然又大又廣闊，人影卻寥寥無幾。大概也是因爲接近夜深的關係吧。我也沒去試試那裏的街邊小吃就回房去了。
我們也去了一趟位于在高雄市西南部的旗津島，到島上的燈塔去。聽説在那兒可以瞭望整座高雄城市，一覽無遺，感受一下在小島上的生活。隨後回到城市后，我們便趕上巴士前往嘉儀，上山到聞名遐邇的阿里山。
海拔2,336公尺的阿里山，既寧靜空氣又新鮮又涼爽，是一個遠離塵囂的避風港。對於新坡人的我們，這天氣果真是最棒的！可是，我們上山的計劃其實是在周末，所以有不少旅遊觀光團和其他居民一起上山去。頓時的氣氛並不是最佳時刻。我們只好匆促地把我們計划好的路途走遍。下山時還可以乘坐歷史悠久的火車，有別一番感覺！
第三站：臺北
最后一站來到臺灣最繁華的都市，臺北。我們的宿舍就坐落在士林夜市對面，所以超方便的！首先我們去了淡水河邊吃美食！但是到了那時候我因爲已經被美食深深吸引了，“殘念” 地沒拍那麽多照片。邊走邊吃、邊看邊吃、邊拍邊吃，還是吃！然後我們慢慢地沿著海邊走到漁人碼頭。消化完了，晚上到士林夜市繼續吃！不同的是這次是邊逛邊吃！
在臺北的第二天，我們來到金瓜石再次欣賞自然生態。探險挖金坑道、觀賞瀑布、還有怎麽會忘了品嘗美食！讓我印象深刻的是那裏的小吃。在那時的觀光客都到較貴的餐廳用食。因爲人數的關係，我們選擇到門庭若市的小吃店。然而等待著我們的是便宜，味道卻是一級棒的料理。可憐的店主，好吃美味的佳肴卻沒人欣賞。我就在這裡幫忙宣傳一下！
第三天便是逛逛城市的購物商場。我們分別往美麗華、臺北101和西門町逛了一圈。晚上就隨著我們在臺灣就讀的朋友帶大家走走師大夜市。托他的福，我們在短短一時間内吃偏了那裏較出名的美食。可惜爲了學業的最後衝刺，他沒能參與我們在臺灣最後一天的卡拉OK！為最後一天畫上美麗的句號。
這臺灣之旅真是讓我大開眼界。只是短短的十天，要嘗盡電視上傳説中的道地美食是不可能之事！我告訴我自己這旅程並不是最后一次。我會在回來的！
青年的年少無知。
大學的刻苦銘心。
人生終于到了學業的終點。
大學的辛酸旅程也在四年里告一段落。在新加坡就讀大學還真得面對人生最現實的一面。真是還搞不懂爲何全國大學排行榜次會那麽高，搞不懂爲何有那麽多人想在這就讀，更搞不懂爲何那麽多外國學生會想來這裡。更令我驚訝的是，在這四年里，我始終搞不懂以上的問題。
別管了！
既然已畢業，那就該搞個轟轟烈烈的慶祝派對！其實這派對早在考試之前就已成定局。就是人生的唯一一次畢業旅行。撇開日本不談（畢竟是學校贊助的文化之旅），我和我幾個死黨計劃到臺灣，一起那~魯~灣~！
臺灣一直以來是我嚮往的地方之一。還記得小時候就已經開始看吳宗憲的節目。那時候相當有名的食字路口，就是看著那些垂涎欲滴的美食，讓我從那刻起想去臺灣的念頭。看了十幾年的綜藝節目，多多少少縂會碰到美食相關的話題，都總會讓我羡慕不已。爲什麽臺灣美食總會不斷創新，追求完美，令人回味呢？越想就越想馬上到臺灣探個究竟。在2013年，這夢想終于能夠實現。
話不多說！
進入正題。
第一站：墾丁
難得到了臺灣，也應該享受一下風光明媚的大自然。到山上的頂端鳥瞰綠意盎然的景色、到沙灘曬曬太陽、嬉戲海水、玩些海上活動。居住在步伐超快的大都市，偶爾該抽空到自然風景區呼吸一些新鮮空氣，好讓整個疲憊的身軀得到完全的鬆懈。整個人的心情也會瞬間變好很多。
雖然是這麽說，可是我們第一次上山的過程可要我們的命！簡直是瘋了似的我們嘗試騎著腳踏車上坡。路途算辛苦，但終于到頂端的時候就會發覺一切是值得的。偶爾也該運動一下不是嗎？上山用了2-3小時，但下山只用了區區15分鐘！可見下山有多爽的。過後的上山過程可簡單多了，因爲我們包了車！
美食探險開始啦！我們的第一個夜市是墾丁大街。首次看到眼前的一切，還感覺是仿佛進入了夢境。從電視熒幕看了這麽多年，現在竟然是在眼前出現。此時的心情是，真是不知該從哪兒吃起！我們就沿路吃遍所有美食！
可真不能小看路邊小吃！試吃了幾個，有蠻多的味道真的是不得了啊！不知不覺買了那麽多小吃，結果一個人只花了新幣5元不等！而且還真的是吃到飽！
第二站：高雄/嘉儀
離開了自然區，我們到了高雄繼續美食之旅！聽説高雄有兩個夜市：瑞豐以及六合。而被推薦的是瑞豐，因爲六合夜市沒什麽看頭。爲了滿足好奇心，想探個究竟，我於是就去那兩個夜市看一看。一瞧，瑞豐夜市確實熱鬧，地方大、攤位多、琳琅滿目。我們在一夜里還真是走不完。可惜的是我們在高雄的時間其實不多，因此只有一個晚上的時間在瑞豐逛逛。
距離夜深既然還有一段時間，就順便到六合夜市看看。果然是與瑞豐夜市相比的確是天高地遠。街道雖然又大又廣闊，人影卻寥寥無幾。大概也是因爲接近夜深的關係吧。我也沒去試試那裏的街邊小吃就回房去了。
我們也去了一趟位于在高雄市西南部的旗津島，到島上的燈塔去。聽説在那兒可以瞭望整座高雄城市，一覽無遺，感受一下在小島上的生活。隨後回到城市后，我們便趕上巴士前往嘉儀，上山到聞名遐邇的阿里山。
海拔2,336公尺的阿里山，既寧靜空氣又新鮮又涼爽，是一個遠離塵囂的避風港。對於新坡人的我們，這天氣果真是最棒的！可是，我們上山的計劃其實是在周末，所以有不少旅遊觀光團和其他居民一起上山去。頓時的氣氛並不是最佳時刻。我們只好匆促地把我們計划好的路途走遍。下山時還可以乘坐歷史悠久的火車，有別一番感覺！
第三站：臺北
最后一站來到臺灣最繁華的都市，臺北。我們的宿舍就坐落在士林夜市對面，所以超方便的！首先我們去了淡水河邊吃美食！但是到了那時候我因爲已經被美食深深吸引了，“殘念” 地沒拍那麽多照片。邊走邊吃、邊看邊吃、邊拍邊吃，還是吃！然後我們慢慢地沿著海邊走到漁人碼頭。消化完了，晚上到士林夜市繼續吃！不同的是這次是邊逛邊吃！
在臺北的第二天，我們來到金瓜石再次欣賞自然生態。探險挖金坑道、觀賞瀑布、還有怎麽會忘了品嘗美食！讓我印象深刻的是那裏的小吃。在那時的觀光客都到較貴的餐廳用食。因爲人數的關係，我們選擇到門庭若市的小吃店。然而等待著我們的是便宜，味道卻是一級棒的料理。可憐的店主，好吃美味的佳肴卻沒人欣賞。我就在這裡幫忙宣傳一下！
第三天便是逛逛城市的購物商場。我們分別往美麗華、臺北101和西門町逛了一圈。晚上就隨著我們在臺灣就讀的朋友帶大家走走師大夜市。托他的福，我們在短短一時間内吃偏了那裏較出名的美食。可惜爲了學業的最後衝刺，他沒能參與我們在臺灣最後一天的卡拉OK！為最後一天畫上美麗的句號。
這臺灣之旅真是讓我大開眼界。只是短短的十天，要嘗盡電視上傳説中的道地美食是不可能之事！我告訴我自己這旅程並不是最后一次。我會在回來的！
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