My old blog.

While I fumble with how to archive and repost my old blog's posts here, use this link to check out some of the stuff I've done over the past few years. http://corlagthebard.blog.ca/

~Corlag the Bard

With winter, comes snow and mindful freedom!

Finally, the snow has arrived. Abnormally early though it is for Vancouver, it makes me feel very much at home. This is my season, I thrive on the snow wonders of the white blanketed city, and mountains around it. Much has progressed within the Games Industry this year, yet at the same time there has been much back pedaling in the Vancouver area.

It's going to be a very different industry in the city of 2011, and I'm excited about it. There's a lot of untapped opportunity on the horizon. Hopefully investors will stop being scared off by unnecessary panic, and realize that people will buy games to stay at home and "save money." If there is one thing I have noticed in my 30 years, it's that the video game and otherwise entertainment industry thrives in challenging economic times. The other side of the coin, however, is that taking silly risks as an entertainment company, whether games or otherwise, is not necessarily smart during these times. If a risk is going to be taken, be sure you have taken every possible step to ensure that your target audience is both interested in the product being considered, through focusing groups and surveys etc. It's no guarantee, but it definitely will help the success ratio of a new idea.

Enough of the serious stuff though, bring on the winter season, and the fun family filled holidays.

Cheers,
Rob Ling

Thanks Giving and music creation.

Here's a new track I'm working on. This time around I chose to go with a sci-fi track to spread the brain across a vast creative canvas. I blame the Turkey. Happy Thanks Giving everyone.

~Corlag the Bard

Impending Doom v1

With the dabbling of Roc on Aviary behind me, I decided it was time to bite into the real meal, sound editing in Myna (also on Aviary.com)

I was trying to think up some things for my book world, a scene of impending doom on a medieval village/town, without much luck in the written format. I decided to try something new for brainstorming, and this was the culmination of my initial thoughts.

It's only the first version of the track, but I feel it's a good bit of ground work for sure. Have a listen to it here.

Cheers and thanks for listening,
~Corlag the Bard

Aviary and the wonders of fiddling with sound

What better way to relax than to fiddle with some sounds in and editor. I was recently introduced to Aviary Music Editor, and decided to muck around with it for a bit this afternoon and see what I could come up with while getting used to what this little tool can do.

This was the result: http://www.aviary.com/artists/Robert Ling/creations/looking_through_the_night_lights

I definitely want to spend some more time on it, but first I have to figure out how to extend the length of the track.

More to come,
~Corlag the Bard

Inspiration and the death of sleep.

I've got a sickness in my head,
And it wants to be fed.

It's called INSPIRATION, INSPIRATION!

When it's fed,
I'll go to bed.

It's called INSPIRATION, INSPIRATION!

The tick of the clock,
Does nothing but mock.

INSPIRATION!

On with the night,
Bring the morning light.

INSPIRATION, INSPIRATION!


~Rob Ling Sept. 22, 2010

And so ends another journey...

And so it ends, PAX 2010 has come and gone, mostly. There is a part of this years PAX that shall remain with me, like a burning flame upon a torch, leading the way into the depths of the next adventure. I had one heck of a great trip this year, and made some great new contacts. I have a project in full swing, a deadline set and burning desire to obtain more knowledge than ever on all parts of the industry.

Listening to Warren Specter speak in the Keynote was surreal in some ways, and in others now that I think about it as I look back at my gaming history, inevitable. Then there was the first QA session that followed with Mike & Jerry. There was a great air about the show this year, and with it being 2010 and all, it seemed appropriate that it was home to many notable announcements, including a marriage proposal during the Q&A session, the Duke Nukem Forever playable demo booth, and the unveiling of Firefall. The Red 5 crew are doing a great job brining a new spin on sci-fi to the MMO scene, and I for one am excited to give this game a whirl. I've been following the development of this new studio since PAX of 2008, when I first met some of their staff at a panel, and have continued to be blown away at the quality of the work, and the closeness to the gaming community that they seem to be striving for. I have seen them at the show each year since then.

It felt more professional overall this year. Every booth I stopped at, had absolutely amazing staff that were all friendly and eager to talk about their games or just chit chat back and forth about the show itself or the industry overall.

Disney Interactive made a huge splash this year at PAX, taking up three major booths. The most notable show floor displays for myself however, was the number of MMO's being shown. EVE, TERA, RIFT, SWTOR, GW2, EON, FIREFALL, AION: Attack on Belaur, Fallen Earth, and more I am sure I am forgetting about at the moment.

Canvasing for questers became a regular thing, checking it while waiting in lines, and collecting almost a hundred new adventurers in my inn, and a great deal of treasure maps as well. That was a great way to spend time in a lineup.

The best of show for mixers definitely goes to CCP yet again, as they never let up on the party surprises. The only thing I think they could have done to top it all off, would have been to show something on either of their two new games in the works. Alas, soon enough they will let fly the gates, and the flood of information will spill out upon us.

The Monday after the show saw a delving into a dungeon beneath the streets of Seattle with the City Beneath the City tour. Great fun that was.

I am glad it's over in someways, but in many other ways, I wish there was a show like this every weekend. The energy is overwhelming, and the satisfaction of fans and exhibitors alike is unparalleled by any other show I have seen. This is our community.

Back to the routine tomorrow, but not on my laurels. Plans are set and things are in motion. I hope to slowly begin revealing more in the coming months, but until then, that bit shall remain buried against its will.

~Robert Ling