I like to use concept art as an alternative way to think up game design ideas.  Here is a quick illustration I came up with today for a game I am creating.

I have done a few illustrations for this game working through various game mechanics, styles, and ideas.

This is a useful creative tool for me to rapidly try out different concepts and see what they might look like before I even write a single line of code or start creating any game assets.

Creating concept art becomes a way I can immerse myself in the world and atmosphere of the game ahead of time because as I am drawing these illustrations I am imagining the various aspects of the gameplay occurring.  This can even include me making hand gestures and sound effects without me realizing it as I try out the game in my mind’s eye.  As embarrassing as that might sound for some people it has been something I’ve done unashamedly since I first started drawing as a child.  It makes the experience that much more involved and creatively useful for me.

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So, my game TurnStyle has been out about 3 days now roaming about the internet and I just felt like reporting the current stats and my experiences in case anyone is interested or curious about this aspect of the Flash game / business space:

This is not only my first Flash game but also the first thing I have ever really released onto the internet as well so it has been a real interesting learning experience!

If you don’t care about tech mumbo jumbo if you skip down near the bottom you can see some funny stats from which countries are playing this game and my personal thoughts on my experience so far.

Distribution and Ad channel technology I used – MochiAds:

I decided to go with MochiAds to do my game distribution. It is non-exclusive and free so I am also able to make other deals as well. One of the main benefits they offer is that they “wrap” your Flash game in a preloader that contains customizable and controllable ads from their network. So, the further your game spreads on the internet the better for them and you. You get a percentage of the revenue from the “impressions” that the ads receive as people wait for your game to download. I like that people have the ability to skip the ad by clicking the ‘x’ because let’s face it- ads are annoying. I also then think that let’s face it, I have to eat too.

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Spent the weekend with a friend south of Boston.  Played a pen and paper game that he created that we may turn into a computer game.  The game has to do with cities.  I think driving through Boston and playing that game inspired the following drawing this evening.  I had fun drawing the whole thing with white on black for a change.

Here is a drawing I made of the shack I used to live in.  It was a cozy little cabin on a quiet lake that I helped to renovate in the summer of 2008.  It was only 400 square feet with no running water or bathroom.  That’s right, I had an outhouse.  In this drawing the outhouse is obscured by the shack, but it is back there have no fear!

I like robots.  I’d like to believe that once they rule us they will do so with grace and fairness.  Sometimes late at night I’m not so sure.