Pretty sure I count as an old-timer!
I peek my head in here, oh, I'd say every 4-6 months.
As far as what I've been up to:
I'm still working the same miserable retail job that I was back when I was running DROD.net, however, I'm back in school after a 6 to 7 year hiatus, finishing up an Associates in Graphic Arts Technology (which I find many people confusing with a design program, or a "
real"
art degree). Basically, I'm learning about print production, running presses, screen printing (remember!? I made
these), color system management, and desktop publishing stuff. That's not to say I don't do anything creative. I'm making lots of custom t-shirts and notepads and other fun printed materials, not to mention dinkin' around in Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign all day long
. The goal is to work in a delightful, casual print shop producing thousands upon thousands of business cards, memos, flyers, banners, signs, etc, and hopefully I can find a place that does screen printing too, because I flippin' love making my own t-shirts.
Oh, and fun story: Back when I first entered the GAT program 6 to 7 years ago, I was a much more avid DROD fan. I talked about my work with Caravel with my Intro to Graphic Arts instructor, Scott Fustin. It was actually in his class that I Photoshopped
this image that appears in the credits of JtRH. In any case, Scott was interested in the game, and I know that he did download Caravel DROD and play that for some time (he never finished it). Fast-forward 6 years, I'm back in the GAT program. Scott is my instructor for a desktop publishing class. He calls my name in attendance...
"
Didn't I have you...?"
"
Yep, in 101, about 6 years ago."
*laugh* "
You keep waiting that long between semesters, you can get your degree about when... oh, they have flying cars."
Scott called a few other students' names, then turned back to me and said:
"
Deadly Rooms of Death... right?"
He Remembered!
True story.
DROD was a HUGE part of my life for several years, and I'm glad to see familiar names when I browse through on my visits. I like to think that I played a small role in reviving DROD, by building the (in retrospect, poorly designed) first DROD site since Beethro's Roasted Roach Grill, but maybe that's arrogant of me, I dunno.
I have fond memories of working with the Caravel Team, even though I always felt like I wasn't doing enough.
I played a little bit of the newest Smitemaster's Selection, if only to be narcissistic, and hear my own voice, but not much beyond that. I'm looking forward to the fourth DROD game, and would glady voice-act, test, and make some rooms!
Wow, pretty lengthy, got nostalgic!
I'll sign off here.
- Claythro Budkin
