Michael Silverman

In case you never met me, or didn't take the time to get to know me, I'll let you know that my favorite thing of all time is Gurren Lagann:

Why do I love Gurren Lagann? Because it was the first time I saw someone put my spirit into a work of fiction. When faced with the impossible task, the infinitely powerful force, the enemy that lords over everyone like a king telling us what our limitations are, and asked if I would give up the only response is:

WHO THE HELL DO YOU THINK I AM?!?!

Now I have some work to do... I may not be posting for a bit, but I think it will be worth it!

I don't really have a game this works with, but I want to keep the link:

Bad Ass Pianist Sergei Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto no 2 Op. 18 Moderato!

'Nuff Said.

Basically, skies, cities, and terrain represent a huge part of the setting for a game about affecting a society. I'm looking for anyone who can explain how to make a 3D game version of the following environment. (Basically its a "sky box" question that has a lot to do with palette.)

Kotaku's article inspired me to post about one of my favorite heroes:

Astro Boy's sharp insights about human nature combined with his intellect, power, and a general sense of discrimination about his uniqueness make for a compelling show. Black and white somehow seems more fitting, though I may feel that way because I saw the black and white version first.

Doing an IP crossover justice is a formidable design challenge, but a worthwhile one. The cost of failure is only a mediocre work. I hope this game meets its mark!

These time lapses are really making an impact on my design sensibilities. There is an inherent play to affecting a society over time. It has an implicit underlying narrative structure. The city is intrinsically tied to space, time, and humanity.

I've recently become much more interested in societies, cities, and simulation in general. I'm currently of the belief that by focusing on simulating a real world phenomenon, it will let me express my artistic POV in a meaningful and worthwhile way.

First off we have a lovely fluid animation:

I was thumbing through my bookshelf and found one of my favorite childhood gems.

I'm now looking at the stuff from such a different perspective. As a man-child aged guy I'm in an interesting place to look forward into my adulthood and back into my childhood at the same time. Everything about Calvin and Hobbes is good stuff, more images after the jump.

This video has no sound but its still quite cool. Be sure to watch it in HQ mode. I like the movement of the clouds and water. Also, the bands of lights around the horizon and their reflections are nice.

Its interesting that there are so many, "it looks like a video game," comments on the youtube channel. It probably has to do with the speed at which the tanker is traversing the world.

Via Kotaku:

The music is a little over the top, but its an interesting video.

I've allowed a self imposed Miyazaki ban in terms of visuals. There are some people who like to use his stuff too often it seems and I missed that train. However, I don't really find too much Joe Hisaishi inspired music. So, without further adu:

Music is always more powerful at reaching audiences viscerally. I want people to belive so I'm going to need as many hooks as possible. Music seems to get past people's desires dissect everything.

I'm not going to hide the fact that my first exposure to this one was at the end of "Back to School" with Rodney Dangerfield. However, its quite a Michael Silverman sentiment, and I would be a fool not to try to articulate that in my work. So here's Dylan Thomas's version:

Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
Because their words had forked no lightning they
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

And you, my father, there on the sad height,
Curse, bless me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Read more for the Dangerfield version.

Calder always drew me in as a kid. Here are some good source images, via wikipidia/other internet sources: