Dylan Goff
Professionally
I am a game designer, soon to be graduating from Champlain College, that specializes in systems design. System conceptualization and rapid prototyping are my passions in this industry as I constantly strive to find the optimal solutions to any problem that my project might come across. In that regard, there is no such thing as failure, only finding several ways not to fix that problem.
My design philosophy revolves around the idea of simplicity and elegance. Even the most complicated of systems can be, or should be able to be, broken down into manageable parts. Once you understand each piece and its function in the whole, you may confidently manipulate, remove or add functionality. Simplicity and elegance from the beginning, as a standard coding and infrastructure practice, make for a much smoother development process, I find.
Communication, however, is also very important for that end, as well. In game development, this is particularly important because not everyone may carry the same vision in their head of what this project will look like, especially interdisciplinary. Through my time as an Eagle Scout, a raid leader and a game designer, I have developed an understanding and aptitude for programming, art and team leadership. These skills allow me to communicate effectively with my team members, to know what I am asking of them, to know what to say to help them understand things and, arguably most importantly, to maintain a person's interest and passion for a project.
Did I mention that I like sushi? I like sushi a lot.
Personally
Humor has always been a huge part of my personality. Growing up with a twin brother who was, perpetually, physically larger than me, I developed a sharp wit to defend myself. For anyone who met us, they quickly realized which was the athletic one and which was the funny one. I have always found great satisfaction in making someone laugh or smile. In that brief moment, they forget the world and participate in raw entertainment; in that brief moment, they are truly relaxed.
And relaxation is key. Like all things, this must be done in moderation, of course. However, we only get one life, and we have no choice but to live every single moment of it. Get some work done? Great, play a game. Just got back from that meeting? Awesome, take a nap. Up all night on a stupid bug that doesn't make any sense? Take a step back for a little bit, relax. Frustration breeds inconsistency and sloppiness, not to mention it also wrecks havoc on your mood. While you shouldn't neglect your duties, you should also not neglect yourself.
These components are much more in depth than I expected them to be, but that brings me to my next point, Passion. When I get into something, I dive in head first and go all out. I've climbed the ranks in Starcraft 2 from bronze to diamond (back when that was the highest) in less than half a year. I've become a skilled online forum role-player that was eventually made staff to help keep player's balanced. I went from joining a guild to being the raid leader of group A within a month, clearing progression content. I'll be introduced to a game, become enamored by it and become so good at it that no one will play me anymore. I can have fun just playing a game, but I am at my happiest when I am mastering it.
Which leads me right to Competition. I find that no gaming experience quite compares to a one on one or team on team test of skill. It doesn't matter if the game is Hearthstone, Starcraft, Ultimate Ninja Storm or chess, there is something pure about besting someone who is, systematically, on equal footing. In those types of games, the only difference between the other player and you is reaction time, coordination and intuition. For team games, however; things like World of Warcraft, Smite and Minecraft; you have another element: other people. This is where leadership experiences come to shine. Donning a headset, and connecting with my allies, a palpable shift happens. I am not just playing a game, I am conducting war. I see the nuances in the enemy team, I see the strengths and weaknesses of my own team and I act, using my intuition and succinct communication skills.
Competition breeds perfection, I have always believed that.
And maybe here, too