Max Beck
Check out the cool things I've been working on!
Check out the cool things I've been working on!
This is the first game I worked on using an engine and was made during "Pirate Software Game Jam 15."
I was the lead programmer.
We dreamed a little too big, but learned a lot in the process. What was intended to an exploration and crafting game with an "order matters" twist ended up being more on an inventory simulator with some fun dialog. We had fun and we're happy with the result.
This was created for the "Pirate Software Game Jam 16." We wanted to experiment with a new engine.
My filler art ended up being the final art.
No one on the team ended up filling the role they were planning to fill. Our programmer became our level designer, our artist because our programmer, and our level designed ended up doing all the art. We love what our game became, despite our best intentions.
Most of my wood working projects happen with my dad and all of them happen because of him. I remember the first project we worked on was making boxes. We used old dog leashes and collars for the handles and latches. I was too young to work with the tools, but my siblings and I all painted them ourselves. I still have my (poorly) painted box.
I enjoy both additive and subtractive manufacturing. Until college, I had done smaller scale projects with my dad, mostly with hand tools. In college I worked for the Cal Poly College of Architecture and Environmental Design, in the digital fabrication shop. There I learned about CNC machines: routers, laser cutters, and water jets. I also spent some time in the wood and metals shops learning how to weld, cast metal, and generally help students take their designs from concept to physical object.
I learned about precision manufacturing in the Air Force as a Metals Technologist where I made and repaired air craft parts.
I took up letter writing in high school when my friends started working as summer camp. In an effort to write more interesting letters, I also took up calligraphy - which is a little challenging because I'm left handed.
I've always played on boulders: I grew up in the forest and it's just what there was to do. Both my sisters are rock climbers and I took up the sport in college. I didn't start bouldering until a climbing gym opened a few blocks from work. Then I was climbing 4 hours a day, 5 days a week.
Since I was old enough to hold tools, I've been taking things apart: VCRs, remote controls, TVs, an Easy Bake Oven®, ...you get the idea. As soon as no one wanted it anymore, I was busy voiding the warranty. Some things were even reassembled. In college, I started playing with Raspberry Pis and Arduino which is when I started learning about Linux, python, C++, and microcontroller controlled electronics. Before then, most of my projects were from science kits.
My first system was a Nintendo 64 that I still have (and play) 26 years later. I've also inherited the family's Game Boys which find occasional to throw Tetris my way. I've played a little bit of everything and had a blast doing it. Most recently I play games with my friends if they're available. Otherwise I'll play WoW or test around on the Ashes of Creation alpha.
Whether it's from the amount of times I've moved, earning my Eagle Scout, or something else - I really enjoy knots. I have a copy of the Ashley Book of Knots. Some cool decorative knots: monkey's fist, turk's head, 5 point star knot. Accompanying fun fact: decorative knots also have practical purposes - monkey's fists and star knots add weight to a line; turk's heads can be applied to prevent fraying. Two very useful knots: the bowline and n-half hitches (where n >= 2).