Heavens Blessings Tiny Zoo » game development

LAST DAY!

Sparkling — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 00:53:03 +0000

Have you registered for the CGDC Winter Retreat? The theme this year is “Keeping the Light shining in the darkness” and TODAY Feb 6th is the last day to register. Don’t miss your chance for this elite Christian Game Developers Conference event in the Oregon mountains just outside of Portland. CGDC Winter Retreat is Feb 25-27. Hope to see you there!

http://cgdc.org/conference.asp

Come meet fellow Christians who are passionate about game development. Speakers, workshops, round tables, and networking opportunities and the chance to get face time with CEOs, developers, and artists of other game development companies. The only conference in the world where you can talk about game physics, game mechanics and spiritual ramifications of game content all in one conversation. Don’t miss this opportunity!

-Laurene

You can do big things!

Sparkling — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 00:22:29 +0000

The concept behind the Kickstarter program is for a lot of people to contribute a little bit to make great things happen. Artists, musician, writers, explorers, even game developers all find a warm welcome in this community of aspiring creative minds. This is your opportunity to help with the final push to get Visions to open beta! We just launched our very own Kickstarter page today. Check it out!

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1799801709/visions-a-christian-mmorpg

Thank you for supporting us!

Visions on Mt Dew Cans!!! Make it happen!

Sparkling — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 03:13:04 +0000

My contest entry was accepted to the DEWmocracy competition. Please vote for me!

http://apps.facebook.com/dewdesigngallery/?ref=nf

Look for this image on the cans when voting! I used a screenshot from Visions as the backdrop for my design. A vote for me is a vote for Visions!

http://apps.facebook.com/dewdesigngallery/?ref=nf

I made the design by myself, this was not a team effort. But it was my hope that if I won the $10,000 grand prize, I could use some of the funds to buy some development software, specifically Ecstasy Motion for 3D art and animation, (as well as pay for braces for my son, and get Dentist and Eye Dr. appointments for the whole family). I am thrilled about the recognition we’re getting and hope you all will vote for me!

Thank you!

-Laurene Wells

EDIT: Here’s a screenshot from the voting page. Wouldn’t it be cool to hold a can like this in your hand?

And God said, “let there be trees”…

Sparkling — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 05:35:02 +0000

New screenshots from Visions development. Can’t see the forest for all of the trees!

Would you like to get in on the action? Help us make Visions! We are working to grow our development team and we need Manager level leaders as well as dedicated developers in Programming, Art, Quest team, Marketing, Research, Administration, Music, and Worldbuilding. If you’re interested in volunteering as a game developer put in your application online today!

http://www.visionsdev.com/adminforms/Volunteer-Application.htm

We are developing a Christian MMORPG. Make the dream come true! Many said it could not be done, but “with God, all things are possible!”

Free applied Programming classes online!

Sparkling — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 16:21:12 +0000

We have new programming classes! George Garman, a Visions team Senior Programmer, has offered to serve on our team as a Programming Instructor for our new developers who are learning, or need to brush up on their skills. He will be developing a series of courses to teach specific programming concepts in C++ and Torque Script.

Membership on the development team is required for participation in the class as many class projects will be directly related to our game development projects. Currently there is no fee for joining George’s classes, but assignments will need to be turned in on time and in completion to stay in the class. We will be working on delivery methods as technology becomes available. Currently emails, IRC, Teamspeak and videos are anticipated to be the primary delivery methods of information, as all classes are online. Live instruction will be recorded and used for future classes as well. George will be working closely with the Director of Programming, Mark Dynna, to coordinate his class instruction to the needs of the game. Class Assignments will be geared toward needs of the development project whenever possible, thus meaning that students will be working directly with actual game code much of the time. As students attain a level of proficiency that they can engage in self-directed learning, they will be given more independant task assignments on the game project to work with. It is expected that the students will ask questions about issues they have with their project assignments to advance their knowledge.

A minimum of a 1 year commitment is required for this programming internship/apprenticeship opportunity. If you are wanting to join George’s programming classes, please send in an online volunteer application to officially confirm your interest and note on the application that you are interested in the Programming Apprenticeship classes. Apply online here:

http://www.visionsdev.com/adminforms/Volunteer-Application.htm

Thank you for your interest in our game development projects! If you would like to learn more about our company before applying you can visit our company website here http://tinyzoo.com.
-Laurene

HBTZ converts to LLC structure

Sparkling — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 15:17:07 +0000

On September 11, 2009 Heaven’s Blessings Tiny Zoo converted the business structure from sole proprietor to LLC. This is yet another step in taking action to build a larger stronger team, and preparing for bigger things to come in the near future. This conversion to LLC was made for legal purposes, and has no effect on the actual work that we are doing at Heaven’s Blessings Tiny Zoo, which is making great family friendly games for Christ! Thank you for your support.

——-

Laurene Wells is the owner of Heaven’s Blessings Tiny Zoo and the Producer of both Chariots and Visions. To learn more about her company and the games they make please visit the website www.tinyzoo.com

New Music Director added to the Visions team!

Sparkling — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 17:48:35 +0000

Heaven’s Blessings Tiny Zoo has accepted Rick Lane as the new Music Director for the Visions game development team! Rick began working with sound and lighting in 1976. Over the many years since he have worked in the studio, theater and motion picture industry with both lighting and sound. He is a song writer/ composer, plays several instruments but guitar is his main instrument. Rick played music professionally for six years around southern Arizona and has worked as a studio musician for Parr Sound Studios in Corvallis, Montana . He has been a worship leader in various churches in Tucson, Arizona; Salt lake city, Utah; and western Montana for the past 13 years. He is currently working with the artist development department for the Incubator group out of Cheshire , Oregon as one of their new Christian artists. As the new Music Director for Visions, Rick has made a commitment to see the game development through launch at least. We are excited to have him as the newest leader on our game development team!

We are still recruiting for other Leadership positions on the development team. Quest Director and Art Director are still open as well. We are actively seeking to build and strengthen our leadership structure to prepare for the growth of our team to a much larger game development staff. We are of course still accepting applications for non-management positions as well.

We have filled 3 Director positions on the Visions team. Mark Dynna has been promoted to Programming Team Director, and Tim Wright maintains his position as the Marketing Director. Other manager level positions still open! Are you looking for Game Development experience? Apply to our volunteer team today! http://www.visionsgame.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=3995#3995

—

About the author: Laurene Wells is the Designer and Producer of Visions. She registered her company Heaven’s Blessings Tiny Zoo in 2003 and lives in Oregon with her husband and four children. Laurene has been leading her volunteer development team for more than 5 years now, they have released the racing game Chariots and are back to working on their flagship project, Visions, a Christian MMORPG. More information about Laurene’s company and game development projects can be found on the http://tinyzoo.com website.