Oh man. I've wanted to be a VGM composer for some time now, but I'm sure I don't have the talent for it.
I mean, I love video game music so much; it's not just a hobby for me, it's my life. But, I know hardly anything about musical theory and I'm nowhere near dedicated/competent enough to learn an instrument or two.
Electivirus: Hmm. I've always believed that one can achieve anything desired if he/she truly focuses on reaching that goal. I don't want this to come off as some sugary, overly fantasious comment, but do you really believe there's absolutely no chance, ever, that you become a VGM composer in your entire life?
edited 26th Dec '10 3:01:37 AM by Richie
Kenta Chou
's games inspired me to want to become a game developer.
...only as a hobby though. The Western game industry is no place for someone who just wants to work on shmoops instead of multi-million-dollar projects.
http://twitter.com/raydere | http://raydere.tumblr.comI took a compsci course freshman year of high school partially because I wanted to make video games, but taking the course ended up decreasing my interest in doing so because the rest of CS is so interesting. I still have interest in video game design and am starting work on an RPG, but it's definitely not the reason I'm studying compsci anymore.

I realize how odd this conversation must seem, even more so when compared with this board's usual debates about the games themselves and the opinions about 'em, yet...
Melee gave me such a feelin'. Carefully crafted to showcase each franchise's world, the museum-like aura of the information contained, the infinite degree of attention to detail, everything masterfully planned to celebrate Nintendo's legacy. It screamed "passion" everywhere, from the orchestrated soundtrack to the Trophies' revealing yet quirky descriptions, from the infinite references to everything Nintendo to the hundreds of conditions that would trigger Bonus Points...I wouldn't end if I were to list it all.
If the game had this insane ammount of dedication, research, and content poured into it, it's obviously because the staff behind it FELT the passion noticiable in the final product. A self-appointed commitment to deliver the very best of their talents, all to create a game with a heart. To say they succeeded is little more than an understatement.
This also made me become more critical of other games I'd play from that point onwards, just to see if I could find others with that palpable sense of passion on them. As I measured it, it wasn't long before I'd notice the games' design, their layout, and other aspects vital to their enjoyment such as the control, the music, and so on.
It's because of Melee that I now want to work in the industry someday. Right now I'm saving up so I'll get to attend a VGM-related school in the future and accomplish my dream, while enganging into another career and job at the moment so I'll always have something to back me up, so I won't be lost. (I ain't throwing all away because of a dream, of course. I'm going to finish my current studies, graduate and all.)
Aaah...What about you guys?
(Yeah, I posted this on Game Faqs as well, just in case some smartypants wanted to call attention to that)
edited 26th Dec '10 2:36:32 AM by Richie