Michael Steffen

3 Years Ago...

I found some old text documents on my computer that shed light on what was going through my head 3 years ago when I applied to the IMD. The first entry's especially poignant to me as I start to think about where I'm going to work after I graduate. Thought I'd share them:

1/15/2003
I studied Computer Science because I thought it would be a good tool for me to have.
Now, I have the ability to
make a game, whether or not I end up working for a game company.
People are always trying to categorize me, asking
things like, "So you want to be a programmer? Or do you want to be an
artist?" To which I reply: "I want to create
audio-visual works of art. I want to help write the story, design the
world, breathe life into the characters. And if
some programming is required to accomplish the overall project...then
yes, I'll do that too. Whether I make a game or
a movie is only a matter of what tools I decide to use. Programming is
a tool for gamemaking, just as a camera is a tool
for filmmaking. Few aspire to be mere cameramen, and as such I aspire
to be much more than a programmer.

3/18/2003
- I enjoy exploring the emotional motivations of myself and those in the world around me, and consequently enjoy the prospect of creating and exploring characters and their motives.
- Interactive mediums allow the player to experience a narrative first-hand, and even effect that narrative.