Tim Cain+

Survivorship Bias

I talk about learning from good games AND from bad ones. Many people only learn from the good ones. Videos I reference: "Bad Games": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vp17yIB6Ijo What Makes A Good Game: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1jZuasGDn8 Learning Lessons From Failure: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kh5JMp5_5nQ Data On My Games: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fyu2DJBWPOc

Sorcery!

Evil Tim is back, eviller than ever!

Real Time vs. Turn Based Combat

I talk about the pros and cons of real time vs. turn based combat, and how you might want to choose one or the other for your game. Videos I reference: Arcanum Combat: Real Time vs Turn Based: https://youtu.be/-QUDeipApgU First vs. Third Person: https://youtu.be/GBIdfazHxM4 Solo vs. Party: https://youtu.be/-cG8OfcFkew

Making A Really Different Game

I talk about developing a really different game than I normally make. Can I do that? Am I allowed to do that?

The Appeal Of A Post-Apocalyptic Setting

I talk about the personal appeal of a post-apocalyptic setting for me to use in my games. Videos I reference: The Biggest Influences On Fallout: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8XTWJRBFeM Sci-Fi vs. High Fantasy Settings: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-HIryOehYo Implementing Endgame Slides: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zjtctCu6VoI

My Three Classes For Pillars Of Eternity

I worked on the designs for the chanter, the cipher, and the monk. Videos I reference: Developing Pillars Of Eternity: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=su5wE2C5UWM Wildstar Class Summary (Nov 2008): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N68agdRYFb4

How Consoles Changed RPG Development

I talk about how consoles changed RPG development, from the 1980s until now.

Look What Followed Me Home

At this point, I don’t know which one of us is better trained.

Five Lessons From This Channel

Here are the five lessons: 1. Have a goal (or two) 2. Don’t wait, do things now 3. Don’t be afraid to fail 4. Don’t care about what other people think 5. Do what you love, love what you do

Code Standards

I talk about the code standards I have used that have worked well with teams of programmers.

Career Plans

I talk about making plans for your future game development career and why that's important. Videos I reference: Industry Changes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=68srUJOV3j4 Technology Changes Jobs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7UGeI_fU5Lk

Games Are Entertainment First

I talk about games being primarily about entertaining the player, whether thru fun, challenge, or interest. Everything else (art, story, social commentary) is secondary, but some people don't understand that.

No Game Job Too Small

I talk about why no task is too small for you to do if you really want to get into the game industry and make good games. Videos I reference: Leonard Boyarsky’s interview at AIAS Game Maker’s Notebook: https://youtu.be/izmSw_ZmQTA How to Get a Job in the Game Industry: https://youtu.be/W8hesnidqqE My First Professional Game: https://youtu.be/3nLc-pULEhw Making Rags To Riches (1993): https://youtu.be/_aDdWpYcIok Fallout Development Timeline: https://youtu.be/jHIabSKo26U

Squirrel Breakfast

Sometimes this squirrel does not take her walnut and leave. Instead she has breakfast next to me (making quite the mess for me to clean up) and then has a second walnut to go.

Channel Schedule Update

I will not be posting videos on a Monday/Wednesday/Friday schedule anymore. Instead, my new videos will be posted irregularly, when I find the time to do so. The channel is staying up, all of the videos are staying up, and I will still be reading and responding to comments. Video I reference: Other Game Developer Channels: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4dV9I10bUc

Marketing Budget Q&A

I answer multiple questions about game marketing and the budget for it. Videos I reference: Production vs. Marketing Budgets: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTgsVxJUueg

Pride Month And Straight Guys

I talk about straight guys and what I think a lot of them miss out on. Videos I reference: Being A Gay Game Developer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8fmAt3Ro_Y Coming Out Stories: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bvASm9ZQZA Being Happy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLD4AaDDN0U It's OK To Be Proud: https://youtu.be/UgySuU7_xcQ

How My Skills Have Changed

I talk about how my skills changed over the decades, going from just programming to doing design and management as well, and how those skills expanded and improved.

Downsides Of A Low Barrier To Entry

It's easier than ever to make a video game...and this has caused some issues. Videos I reference: Discoverability: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmgJVUuS1I8 "Bad Games": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vp17yIB6Ijo Great Video Game Crash Of 1983: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dwT228jMziA

My Morning Routine Went Sideways

I usually have coffee and a small breakfast every morning, but today something was different.