Someone once said...
by Todd Pickens · 07/03/2008 (1:02 pm) · 11 comments
..."Often, the right thing to do and the hardest thing to do are the same thing".
I have exited the garage, Garage Games that is.
It was not an easy decision, but a necessary one for me.
My one year anniversary was June 4th of 08. In that time I had a chance to meet and work with some truly great people. Some of those folks have also moved on, others remain. All of whom I hope to work with again in some fashion.
Working at GG during its transitional period and start up of InstantAction was both challenging and rewarding. It was a reminder of why I enjoy game development, working with creative and passionate people, mentoring juniors and learning for my seniors.
It was also a reminder of the hazards of burying your head in a project and putting your work before your health, and not paying attention to the goings on around you. A lot of time slipped by, as time has a tendency to do when you're not paying attention.
Most of all a reminder of a piece of advice I have often given young developers I have worked with, "make sure you clearly understand exactly what your situation is, and what it is not".
What was my situation? Well, I made the decision to join GG primarily for one reason, family. There were other reason, but that was the Prime Mover.
I had loved ones in need of help, and the best opportunity for providing it was hanging up my indi contractor gloves and diving back into studio work. Ultimately I picked GG and made the road trip north to Oregon.
It was an interesting year. Life is what happens when your not paying attention, and it can sure throw you some curve balls. But that's all part of the ride.
Now... I'm taking some extended time off, enjoying the hell out of the beautiful summer here in Eugene, visiting family, getting my running back in form, and generally recharging my batteries for the year ahead and whatever it may bring.
I've begun to rebuild my old web site in the form of a blog, so that I can keep it up to date and post with greater ease. Its in the very early stages, and seems to be running a bit slow, so a provider switch may be in order. Check it out HERE if you are interested.
And of course, the obligatory Pic.
Fallen Empre: Legions, Only on InstantAction
Stay tuned, more to come.
I have exited the garage, Garage Games that is.
It was not an easy decision, but a necessary one for me.
My one year anniversary was June 4th of 08. In that time I had a chance to meet and work with some truly great people. Some of those folks have also moved on, others remain. All of whom I hope to work with again in some fashion.
Working at GG during its transitional period and start up of InstantAction was both challenging and rewarding. It was a reminder of why I enjoy game development, working with creative and passionate people, mentoring juniors and learning for my seniors.
It was also a reminder of the hazards of burying your head in a project and putting your work before your health, and not paying attention to the goings on around you. A lot of time slipped by, as time has a tendency to do when you're not paying attention.
Most of all a reminder of a piece of advice I have often given young developers I have worked with, "make sure you clearly understand exactly what your situation is, and what it is not".
What was my situation? Well, I made the decision to join GG primarily for one reason, family. There were other reason, but that was the Prime Mover.
I had loved ones in need of help, and the best opportunity for providing it was hanging up my indi contractor gloves and diving back into studio work. Ultimately I picked GG and made the road trip north to Oregon.
It was an interesting year. Life is what happens when your not paying attention, and it can sure throw you some curve balls. But that's all part of the ride.
Now... I'm taking some extended time off, enjoying the hell out of the beautiful summer here in Eugene, visiting family, getting my running back in form, and generally recharging my batteries for the year ahead and whatever it may bring.
I've begun to rebuild my old web site in the form of a blog, so that I can keep it up to date and post with greater ease. Its in the very early stages, and seems to be running a bit slow, so a provider switch may be in order. Check it out HERE if you are interested.
And of course, the obligatory Pic.
Fallen Empre: Legions, Only on InstantAction
Stay tuned, more to come.
About the author
#3
07/03/2008 (1:58 pm)
Have fun on your well deserved vacation, Todd! 
#4
07/03/2008 (2:11 pm)
Take care Todd. Hope you enjoy a well earned break and take some time to relax. I'm sure i'll see you around! 
#5
...
And there it goes onother one... I think this is starting to smell bad.
07/03/2008 (2:50 pm)
Excellent work you have done on GG, never regret. Guys like you are always needed Todd, hope you take back your indy globes soon!...
And there it goes onother one... I think this is starting to smell bad.
#6
I just emailed you at toddpickens@gmail.com is that still the right email?
Anton
antonphd@yahoo.com
P.S.
I emailed about contract work. Fun and good pay work right up your alley. I promise.
07/03/2008 (7:17 pm)
Todd,I just emailed you at toddpickens@gmail.com is that still the right email?
Anton
antonphd@yahoo.com
P.S.
I emailed about contract work. Fun and good pay work right up your alley. I promise.
#7
-Jeff Tunnell
07/03/2008 (10:38 pm)
Todd, I would say good luck, but somebody with the kind of awesome talent you have does not need luck. Stay in touch.-Jeff Tunnell
#8
07/04/2008 (5:32 am)
Good luck Todd, You will be missed. Hope to see you around soon!
#9
Hoping to hear from you Todd too.
07/04/2008 (6:55 am)
I got the point: you and Andy are leaving together... ;-) it can't be a coincidence (I don't believe in coincidences anyway)Hoping to hear from you Todd too.
#10
Tim, Can't begin to say how glad I am we finely got to work together, and hope we get to do so again sometime soon.
Dave, Thank you. I am going to squeeze the time for all its worth.
Kenneth, thank you and yes you will.
Novack, Thank you very much. And great to see you visiting my blog, I am working on solving the sites speed problem :O)
Anton, Got it. Will talk to you soon. And great to hear that thing are going well for you.
Jeff, Thank you for the generous praise, and I will definitely stay in touch.
Gareth, Thank you. I will be around. I have some catching up to do.
Stephan, You figured it out, Andy and I are on honey moon in Switzerland :P
07/04/2008 (9:07 am)
David, Bank on it!Tim, Can't begin to say how glad I am we finely got to work together, and hope we get to do so again sometime soon.
Dave, Thank you. I am going to squeeze the time for all its worth.
Kenneth, thank you and yes you will.
Novack, Thank you very much. And great to see you visiting my blog, I am working on solving the sites speed problem :O)
Anton, Got it. Will talk to you soon. And great to hear that thing are going well for you.
Jeff, Thank you for the generous praise, and I will definitely stay in touch.
Gareth, Thank you. I will be around. I have some catching up to do.
Stephan, You figured it out, Andy and I are on honey moon in Switzerland :P
#11
;)
Seriously, though, it was a great having you at the offices. Like Jeff says, you're not going to need any luck to find an awesome new gig. I look forward to seeing what you do next. You're a talented artist and a hard worker. Go kick some ass!
07/04/2008 (2:16 pm)
Todd, I wish you and Andy all the best. I hope you enjoy the fondue kit I got you.;)
Seriously, though, it was a great having you at the offices. Like Jeff says, you're not going to need any luck to find an awesome new gig. I look forward to seeing what you do next. You're a talented artist and a hard worker. Go kick some ass!
Associate David Montgomery-Blake
David MontgomeryBlake