Motivation
<div class="IPBDescription">Mainly in the terms of music and movies</div>Right so I've done all my 2D, written all my workings, put down all my theory and mustered up the strength to look at the horrible state of the editor and start working 3D bound again.
Problem is I'm now flat out of motivation for many various reasons and with a calf muscle that still won't heal for two weeks I've got a crap load more spare time than usual.
So here's my problem, motivation. Just in it's purest of form to open up the editor and start laying everything out. My question to everyone who can chip in anything is, what motivation have you used in the past? Music and movies come to mind for me. I need music to keep thought flowing while I map out, although I need movies, television series, what not for further building inspiration as I detest following a hard line when designing. Anything can always and will always change.
Anyone care to pitch some ideas across, I'm sure I'm not the only one lacking some much needed motivation, so I'm sure aswell as giving me ideas you'll be giving others!
=]
Problem is I'm now flat out of motivation for many various reasons and with a calf muscle that still won't heal for two weeks I've got a crap load more spare time than usual.
So here's my problem, motivation. Just in it's purest of form to open up the editor and start laying everything out. My question to everyone who can chip in anything is, what motivation have you used in the past? Music and movies come to mind for me. I need music to keep thought flowing while I map out, although I need movies, television series, what not for further building inspiration as I detest following a hard line when designing. Anything can always and will always change.
Anyone care to pitch some ideas across, I'm sure I'm not the only one lacking some much needed motivation, so I'm sure aswell as giving me ideas you'll be giving others!
=]
Comments
Earlier I've been watching boring stuff on TV just to get my mind going. Once I have an idea of something I want to create, be it a structure, lighting scheme or anything I just go for it. If I lose my motivation again I watch more boring TV.
Music is always good to keep the flow. Some of my favourite artists right now are Mogwai, Kaki King, Sigur Ros and Bright Eyes. Most of Mogwai's stuff is instrumental and chill, with some really tight and heavy parts. Building up and down dynamically. It works well for me.
I've not got the best knowledge about movies but anything sci-fi would do the trick for me I guess.
Also just going out for a short/longer walk could work. You'd get away from the computer for a while and when out in the open the human mind tends to spin off into thoughts. Gets your mind off the motivation hunger and suddenly it's there!
The map editor scares me to peices. Have you got anymore of that strength mustard?
As for motivation I can only suggest you watch 'Alien 3' every day before breakfast or just follow the link(s) in my sig. =D
<center><object width="450" height="356"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/NveRsaFfvPQ"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/NveRsaFfvPQ" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="450" height="356"></embed></object></center>
And because of that I'm addicted to mapping :D
But you can also try to think about things that demotivate you and try to avoid them like:
-Setting to high standards, which results in frustration especially at first (new area)
-Not mapping for the fun of building and toying around, wether it looks good or works out at first or not
(if you can keep up the flow of just toying around, you'll end up with something good eventually)
-Getting annoyed by editor bugs or layouts/designs not working out, instead of ignoring it and appreciating the fact that you get more experience by redesigning and working around stuff
<a href="http://stoney.sb.org/eno/oblique.html" target="_blank">Oblique Strategies</a>
The second link is a great tool for times when you are lacking inspiration or motivation. It was originally a deck of cards but works just as well on the web. It can be used in a number of different ways. Pick one strategy at random and adhere to it strictly throughout your working day, or draw three and consider how they relate to one another and how they apply to your work. Or simply shuffle through the deck until something catches your eye.
<a href="http://stoney.sb.org/eno/oblique.html" target="_blank">Oblique Strategies</a>
The second link is a great tool for times when you are lacking inspiration or motivation. It was originally a deck of cards but works just as well on the web. It can be used in a number of different ways. Pick one strategy at random and adhere to it strictly throughout your working day, or draw three and consider how they relate to one another and how they apply to your work. Or simply shuffle through the deck until something catches your eye.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
thank you for those.
I am a little bit worried that on clicking the second link I immedietely got, "Go outside. Shut the door."
I come on here to hunt down screenshots that are better than what I'm doing to give myself a competitive spirit. Usually seeing someone else working hard is enough to get me interested again. Other than that, I just turn on something for background noise while I'm working.
At first I was hesitant to pick up the editor with the thought of how much work it would actually take to bring to completion, but at some point after using the editor for so long it's what I'll open first when I boot up my computer. Instead of loading up a 5 hour game of Civ 5 or Anno 1404 :)
And when you're stuck on a single room, take a break (cigarette or go check if there's something in the fridge this time) and don't try to seek some other sources of inspiration. Seriously. It lets your brains relax a little and that's when you'll probably come up with different kind of approach. A great deal of my ideas comes when I'm going for a lunch or to sleep, instead of just staring the screen.
<a href="http://www.stumbleupon.com" target="_blank">http://www.stumbleupon.com</a>
So my motivation will be back after satisfying updates, and a new map from UWE !
Just to add to this, keep in mind that the internal development team mappers are using the same editor as you guys, with all the same bugs , missing features, crashes and annoyances. Trust me, I get to hear those frustrations from some of those guys on an almost daily basis. And yet, they are still cranking out fully fleshed out maps that are going to be released with the game.
For motivation try thinking about how nice the editor is going to be when Max finally has time to get back to work on it and be able to address the list of issues and feature requests waiting for him :)
--Cory