lower level

I've got plenty of work to keep me busy for a very long time, but for some reason I'm still left a little unsatisfied. Up to this point I've tried to fill whatever "challenge" void I've had by trying to just take on more work. This is a failed approach for me because I've hated "busy work" (the stuff that just keeps you busy but doesn't really put my mind to use) since I signed up for some Advanced courses in high school only to be disappointed because they just threw more math problems at us instead of more difficult ones.

So I'm breaking the convention. Zack and I both have decided to start doing some research for getting into some game development. He's got some great ideas that I think have potential to be really great, so I'm definitely excited. Game development is going to help me with my little "challenge void" mainly because it's something new and employs all aspects of computers that I've up to this point used individually on many levels.

I'm particularly interested in algorithms for some kind of custom artificial intelligence engine. So I'm going to be JP from Grandma's boy for the next year or so I'm sure. (joke. If I reach that point I'm giving anyone that knows of this permission to smack me enough to bring me back.. ha). Programming AI algorithms is something I've been interested in since I first started playing games like Doom (yeah the 1st one) and picking up the programming basics...

So far the standards that we've decided on up to this point are

• C++ for our modules
• Python for a dynamic module binding backend
• PHP for any web stuff (probably the highest level language I'm not tired of... just personal reasons though)
• OpenGL (I'm running my new Mac and the PS3 seems to be doing just fine with OpenGL rendering only)

The research is starting with me continuing to learn Python, getting more familiar with C++ (not my first rodeo), and learning a bit of OpenGL. I'm fairly confident that I'm going to end up doing the backend game logic (where I feel more comfortable and really am more interested) while Zack heads up the graphical end with Blender model rendering and things like collision detection.

What's really great is that this new little endeavor is something that is both challenging and also something we can both be passionate about.