President Zen

Concerning Human Rights

2011-12-19T11:40:00.001-05:00

Mr. President,

SOPA and NDAA must be vetoed! Both are dangerous in the wrong hands and are ripe for abuse of power! Why would you ever allow such legislation to even be considered? If law enforcement, with all their funding and equipment is unable to stay on top of these issues, then it's their fault; not the American people!

Thank you for your time and consideration,
Doug Atkinson

******************************************

The section in blue was that way in my email, and I guess the answer to my inquiry? As much as I appreciate the killing of OBL, that is a poor justification. If anything, power should be given back due to this success.

The response I received:

December 20, 2011

Dear Friend:

Thank you for writing. I have heard from many Americans concerned about our Nation's security, and I appreciate your perspective. As Commander in Chief, I have no greater responsibility than keeping the American people safe.

My Administration is working every day to defeat al-Qa'ida and its extremist affiliates in Afghanistan and beyond. Shortly after taking office, I directed the Central Intelligence Agency to make the capture or killing of Osama bin Laden, al-Qa'ida's leader, a top priority. On May 1, 2011, we achieved this mission, bringing to justice a terrorist responsible for the murder of thousands of men, women, and children in the United States and around the world. Bin Laden's death does not mark the end of our efforts against al-Qa'ida, and we will remain vigilant at home and abroad as we continue working to disrupt and dismantle this terrorist network.

At home and abroad, our men and women in uniform are making extraordinary sacrifices to protect us all. As I promised, our combat mission in Iraq ended on August 31, 2010, and we are on track to have all our troops out of Iraq by the end of this year. We are building a strong partnership with the Iraqi people in support of Iraq's development and peace and security in the region. Meanwhile, we are focusing on the threat of al-Qa'ida and its extremist affiliates in Afghanistan and Pakistan. The September 11 attacks were planned in this region, and terrorists there continue to plot against the United States. That is why I increased the number of American troops fighting in Afghanistan, and we are continuing to work with our partners in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and around the world to dismantle and defeat al-Qa'ida.

Our key national security agencies are working together to protect American lives, but we must address vulnerabilities in the system. We have taken steps to ensure our aviation screening, technology, and procedures are working more effectively. To improve our intelligence system, I directed the intelligence community to follow up on all leads on high-priority threats and to distribute reports more widely so the intelligence we have is acted upon. To strengthen our security, we are also coordinating with international partners to develop and deploy advanced screening and detection technologies, and to disrupt terrorist plots.

Thank you, again, for contacting me. For more information on these efforts, I encourage you to visit: www.WhiteHouse.gov/Issues/Homeland-Security.

Sincerely,

Barack Obama

Concerning Your Job Creation Speech

2011-09-06T18:21:00.002-04:00

About the Republicans wanting to speak to you before your speech: Tell them no. Tell them that it's a speech and that you don't need any notes. Tell them that you have work to do in your branch of government. That if they want to talk to someone, they should talk to the Democrats in their respective branch of government as they work together, to achieve real change in America.

Also legalize weed please! It can't hurt spending, and can only help revenue.

Finally, if you know someone that can float my media arts company some cash to create jobs, send them my way: http://industrialzen.us/

I would love to hire the talent I see all around Indianapolis.

Any Man Can

2011-07-13T10:37:00.007-04:00

It's not the American worker that is lazy and overprivileged, it's the American consumer. So lazy they can't even read a tag to see where they are buying from. By definition of overprivileged: having an excess of opportunities or advantages; it is the consumer, not the employee who has an excess of opportunities and advantages. In that state of overprivileged the American consumer can't be bothered to pay $5 more for American products that might benefit their own job creation. If America is over ran by the Chinese, it will be the American consumer, who thought it was a good idea to sell America one penny at a time.

My business struggles, like America does, but do I indulge in unethical practice? No. I search the internet to find a merchant that promises American labor will benefit from a purchase. Even then there is a caveat of American made, where possible.

I, as an American laborer, work my ass off because that is what should matter. That is the America we all know and love, even if it only exists in movies and minds. That a nobody, through nothing else but sweat on his brow and the will to make it so, can do anything. I work my day job to pay my bills and eek by, but never get ahead. I come home and work on my company when my child is asleep. I believe in the things that matter, regardless of contempt or folly, because the things that matter are what a man should believe in.

To fix the problem I hear deregulation, as if the businesses that dominate have anyone's interest but their own in mind. I hear cut taxes, to give these mammoths more money to spend here, instead of taxing those that ship jobs overseas, or taxing their product born in China and elsewhere being sold here.

I hear that my suggestions would scare away those companies, and I think, why now do you stop believing in a free market? Our nation is still a desirable marketplace. There is still money to be made here. If a company wishes to leave because we demand fair trade practices, then buh-bye! I have no tolerance for disloyal companies that threaten the people that made them what they are. A small business will fill the gap, and create those jobs and products we desire.

Industry special interests have to get out of the way and allow the any man to do just that, but that is the slip between the factory and the ship. The corruption that plagues our government has allowed corporations to have the same rights as you and I. With that, I have to ask, just how many Representatives and Senators does a company get to influence with their 'voice', and how many do I get? There should be a cap on how many districts a company can reside and influence, just as there is for me, or the individual rights will continue to remain disproportionate.

To fix the problem of corruption, I hear a call for increased states rights in law making, as if we learned nothing from the Civil War. That our leaders being close by will better represent us. Then why have a federal government at all? Could it be that we need to assure a unified and just law of the land? Cry states rights as much as you like, a State with as much power as the federal government is just as likely to be riddled with corruption. We shouldn't just pawn off problems in a government nutshell game that hides the problem and moves it across the table. That change could only help temporarily, if it would help at all. It's a cowards way out. It's admitting defeat. That We the people cannot change the big problem, so lets create 50.

That is the solution, We the People. We need to account for our actions and inaction. The majority of us have stood by for most of our lives and never even bothered to do the one simple thing that matters, to vote. I've heard the argument that voting doesn't matter, that if it did, voting would be illegal by now. If that were true, then why does the Tea Party even exist? They could just pay off the leaders to behave however they wished. Why even bother with energizing a base, and rallying?

We the People need to abandon the lies that help destroy our Democracy, before revolution can ever be called for, we should call for voter turn out in numbers of 80% or greater.

If we never even bother to participate in our Democracy, then how could we ever call for revolution? How can you call for the violent bedlam of widespread battlefield anarchy? How could you justify the deaths of your friends and neighbors in civil war, if you didn't first just vote at least once? How could you believe that a revolution would matter, if we prop up the same Democratic rule with continued apathy?

Unholy Wars: Satan's Rampage Minigame

2011-01-08T00:15:00.008-05:00

Animation: Trever 'Flecko' Barger

Additional Art: Jackie Crofts

Programing and Writing: Douglas Atkinson

Music: Adam Johnson

Satan's Rampage
Territories void of ownership are children of the wilderness, allowing Satan moments on Earth. What better way to spend it then on a killing spree? Last as long as you can, killing puppies, Cherubs, and villagers before God sends you back to hell!

This is an example, and not the actual size, hold down control and scroll to enlarge the game image.

Unholy Wars: Opening Cinematic

2010-08-04T22:52:00.007-04:00

Animation:
Trever 'Flecko' Barger

Director:
Douglas Atkinson

Writers:
Douglas Atkinson
Trever 'Flecko' Barger

Here it is folks, the first glimpse of Unholy Wars opening cinematic. We haven't added the sound yet; although it has been recorded. Expect the complete version soon!

Unholy Wars: Hard Luck Job - Adding Sound

2010-07-31T01:40:00.013-04:00

*Preloader has not been added yet so it may take a minute to load; sorry!

Artists:
Trever 'Flecko' Barger
Jackie Crofts

Programming:
Douglas Atkinson

Special Thanks:
Dean Verleger

All sounds were obtained from the FreeSound Project, the music belongs to Newgrounds user Cheez-R-Us

Sound has been a subject I've been putting off just because I'm unfamiliar. With the mini-games programming coming to an end, it was about that time.

There may be a lag in the game as the game continues. I think it's the way I'm handling the sounds, but it could be the MovieClips; either way enjoy!

Singularity

2010-07-17T02:20:00.003-04:00

Drowning under your own weight

that's the fight, and its understood;
Why Poe was found in the gutter face down,
or reasoning Hemingway's single shot,

Suicide is the ultimate act of atheistic belief.

Battle Round Minigame - Second Rough.

2010-07-15T00:42:00.008-04:00

If this blog is having trouble displaying the game, Download instead!

Artists: Trever Barger & Jackie Crofts
Programmer: Douglas Atkinson

In the last post I discussed the initial logic in the programming. This time around we've added conversion units to the land battle, and split the game into a new naval combat round. You have an equal chance of land or sea in the demo.

Conversion units can't attack but they do provide a morale bonus for each one present. This can help increase the tactic bonus. They will defend their position though it's a weak chance of killing anyone.

The Navy is pretty straight forward, the attacker has an advantage.

Enjoy!

UnholyWars: Battle Round Minigame

2010-06-27T16:33:00.006-04:00

Artists: Trever Barger & Jackie Crofts
Programmer: Douglas Atkinson

This is the basic working version. I haven't added code for effect or timing, but the basic premise is there. Since it's a part of a larger game, I randomized the values for troops and the nation invaded, as well as the terrain type. From the values, the game determines who is weaker, and consequently, defending. Once those values have been established, the real battle can start.

Since raw numbers can usually overpower an army, tactics can be chosen at the beginning of each combat round. The tactic advantage is set up as: Flank dominates Pincer, Charge dominates Flank, and Pincer dominates Charge. If tactics are equal, no advantage is applied.

The 'die roll' hits are multiplied by the tactic advantage or disadvantage and then applied as actual hits. If the hits are more than your troops, all units are removed and God wins the battle. Otherwise a hit selection screen is added to allow player selection of casualties. Once all hits have been allocated, the kill button will appear to remove the casualties.

Gods units are then checked against hits, and victory is applied or units are removed, and a new round begins. The process repeats until a victor is determined. Restart is then enabled for repeating play of the demo.

Enjoy!

Unholy Wars: Hard Luck Job - The V.1 Revamp

2010-06-10T20:00:00.005-04:00

Context
This is a minigame based loosely on the book of Job. 'Hard Luck Job' pops up as a random event at the end of a game round, for a larger God vs Satan world conquest game. Basically, you 're given the opportunity to wager a group of people under your control, for a group of his, in a game of king high one card stud.

The part of Satan was inspired by Phil Laak, and God by Doyle Brunson.

V.2 Play Testing Notes
AI & nation assignment logic are flawed. The strategic value of the mini-game as it relates to 'Unholy Wars' is greatly diminished. The point for the player is to take a gamble for a piece of real estate they really want, if they want.

I revisited the permissive 'God' model and added the tweeks that V2 developed, and fixed the assignment issue in the MovieClip functions.

Art: Trever 'Flecko' Barger
Programming: Douglas Atkinson
Special Thanks: Dean Verleger

Unholy Wars: Minigame - Hard Luck Job

2010-06-09T18:43:00.007-04:00

This is the second working iteration. Trever Barger is responsible for the art.

Context:
This is a minigame based loosely on the book of Job. 'Hard Luck Job' pops up as a random event at the end of a game round, for a larger God vs Satan world conquest game. Basically, you 're given the opportunity to wager a group of people under your control, for a group of his, in a game of king high one card stud.

The part of Satan was inspired by Phil Laak, and God by Doyle Brunson.

UnHoly Wars Minigame: Hard Luck Job

2010-06-05T05:30:00.003-04:00

So I've been working my tail off to learn AS3 and apply it. The Art, as always, is the work of Trever Barger, or Flecko. I had some help from Dean Verelger in the beginning, but outside of that, this is my first real independent game. Enjoy!

Why there is no ether anymore

2010-05-01T17:50:00.001-04:00

There is no ether to be found
It fell victim to its own market

They hooked it and bagged it
In small parcels, they sacked it
Until it was a grand collection

When all was made territory,
Great balloon in a laboratory
Enter Ether; exited a fallacy,
Avoid is filled by pharmacy

Commodities of depth
Never outlast their breath

AS3 Practice: Major Tweaks

2010-03-15T03:26:00.002-04:00

I added the score to the play screen and game over screen. There has also been an addition of a timer, which for now, flashes 12:00. If you test the load speed, you will see a preloader has been added.

AS3 Practice: Better Collision Detection

2010-03-14T05:30:00.003-04:00

Thanks to a code from Terry Gilbert, we have a better collision detection based on the alpha map.

AS3 Practice continued: The chase

2010-03-13T00:45:00.002-05:00

Use the arrow keys to move. The blue balls now chase you.

AS3 Practice: Complete Game Cycle

2010-03-10T00:54:00.001-05:00

New Rule

2010-03-08T18:47:00.003-05:00

Work with what you have first; or as we used to say around the Euchre table, "Play with the cards you were dealt, and maybe we'll give you better ones."

AS3 Practice Cont.

2010-03-03T01:19:00.004-05:00

Avoid the blue balls. Click the post title to reset.

Some AS3 Practice

2010-03-01T03:29:00.004-05:00

Industrial Zen Website: Part 3

2010-01-27T23:18:00.002-05:00

Alright; we have most of the links working. Getting things in order as far as positioning issues. Content slowly trickles in; I sent Trever some words to fill some of our pages.

Suggestions are welcome on content, or any trouble viewing the site.

industrial Zen

Democrats are Sissies

2010-01-22T19:37:00.005-05:00

I used to refer to myself as a FDR democrat. Lately, I'd prefer the title of communist.

One vote and Dems are reconsidering strategy and rewriting policy.

How did Bush do half the things he did? He ignored the people he felt were wrong. Bush was guided by religious perspective, giving him unwavering certainty when opposed. He pressed on the weak in exchange for influence. (It helps to have a strong arm man like Cheney, fucker will shoot you! )

The Democrats are so divisive and unwilling to offend anyone, that they have no position to stand on. I personally believe I am right in my views, and will do anything within my power to accomplish the goal. Which means I have to ignore people who believe I will fail. It's just a different perspective. You show up, you do the job. Everyday. That conviction pays off; every time. Over time reevaluate and restructure as observations dictate.

Democrats need to buckle down and stand on the positions that matter.

You are free to believe however you wish, but keep it to yourself. Don't let it interfere or impose needlessly.
Production is more important than destruction. Read that however you wish, I'm sure it will apply.
Rights are absolute in all cases and should never need to bend or forfeit.
Cease nanny legislation. Freedom comes with peril; sometimes self inflicted.

But they won't, because they care too much about immediate concern and public outcry. Sometimes you just have to say "You elect me for my leadership; not for my poll taking ability. If my decision is wrong, I will deal with the ramifications in November."

Of course the same can be said about modern politics on all sides. Poll takers and media manipulators; masters of saturation, and mindless postering photo ops one and all. It's the government we as a people must want, or else why would it continue?

Artist Collaboration and Promotion

2010-01-21T20:33:00.004-05:00

It seems there are a lot of artist that go it alone. A professor even told my partner that artist are usually remembered more than the company they work for. To that I said Marvel. Stan Lee had a vision and the skill to create his own label, and both will be remembered.

There is no cover all, I know. There are exceptions to every rule, and talent that never comes to be. The unknown tragedies of modern life.

The artist must be promoted with the company, as the company must be honored by the artist. There is a symbiotic relationship, that requires mutual respect. Which brings me back to the initial point. Why go it alone and maybe scrape by, when collaboration has a greater potential for growth in talent and experience?

It's damn near communist. Suggesting there is a benefit in group efforts leading to monetary support in off times. Competition is healthy, but self defeating at such a micro level.

Game Testing

2010-01-20T20:05:00.002-05:00

I've been playing Dragon's Age: Origins since Christmas, and I know I don't play games like a lot of folks. (I break it down and play scenarios over and over until I feel I had the optimal performance.) But that game had to be pushed through. There are so many glitches in the game play, they either had minimal game testing, or ended up ignoring errors for the sake of release.

Now game tester is the one position I have no problem filling. Every time I bring up industrial Zen, there is always the game testing volunteer. I just can't imagine not being able to get the issues fixed.

That is one thing I hope to never do. I know deadlines are important, but sometimes issues arise. Putting out a poorer quality game in the name of profit is not the way to build a loyal fan base. I remember that stuff. That's why I love Rockstar. I've never had a critical issue with any of their games.

Idea for a Movie

2010-01-14T20:30:00.002-05:00

Struggling Game Designer wrapped in isolation, gets idolized by Hugo Chavez.

The struggling game designer creates little time killer games to scrape by, but hopes to get the company going someday. Hugo stumbles upon one of these games and becomes so amused that he investigates the game designer, only to find a blog of communist rhetoric written by the man himself.

Excited by his find, Hugo launches a a month long propaganda campaign to honor the struggling 'genius'. Hugo invites the designer to be a guest so he can reward him with a million dollars, no strings attached, (aside from coming to Venezuela to get it.)

A tale of compromise in the face of failure.

Feeling Uninspired.

2010-01-13T18:50:00.003-05:00

Right now, there is a number of things I should be doing.

I have my website code to play with. Fun.

Aaron and Katie are interested in making a movie about one of my stories, so I need to turn that into a screenplay. I'm going to need more mental organization before pressing pen to paper. That... and I'll need to direct a little, and I'd hate to impose on those two.

Then Trever is talking about starting the Sic TV... A couple of episodes are in the can writing wise... Should be fine there... Do a pilot plus one or two, and respond with more if there's interest.

All of this boils back to my lack of fire. School has restarted, and my energy, as always, is more focused on academics; slow progress grinds to a halt. We'll see what tomorrow is like.

industrial Zen Site Launch Continued...

2010-01-11T19:12:00.002-05:00

There seems to be some frame issues with the site right now. Other than that no responses on my Facebook post, pointing any issues out.

Trever and I have noticed a few things and are working to debug the site.

So, no real news; just keeping busy.

New Industrial Zen Home

2010-01-10T17:56:00.004-05:00

Although this is still under construction, we have a new view for our home site.

industrial Zen Home

Notes about site, or work yet to come:

1. This is a website with multiple pages that link from the offices, reception, arcade, and the theater. Those links do not exist yet.

2. Information for said pages.

3. The site may have lagging issues, although I haven't seen it.

4. Character art for animations.

Any problems need added to the list? I welcome suggestions or comments.

Not much of a blogging blogger.

2010-01-09T22:36:00.002-05:00

I start to blog but then I think... I can waste my time talking about it or I can just do what I'm saying I'm going to do and post the results. So again, there should be more to come... Unless I continue my belief that blogging is a waste of time for now.

Been busy

2009-02-06T20:31:00.002-05:00

I've been too busy as of late to really put in time on the blog.

Lately it's been school and work and work.... I'm starting a club on campus to provide IUPUI students with the tools to create video games , as well as develop various New Media. Animation and music.... Whatever a person wants to do. It's to help students practice a creative work life. It'll be good practice for me too; in an executive position.

News for now? I came up with a Flash game idea that should be complete by the end of summer. Which led me to an idea. The way I see it, there are talented people who have no idea what they want to do. I have game ideas. We can help each other. I've been kicking around the idea of putting my game designs here. Just my throw-a-ways, none of my babies.

So that's it for now. I'll try to post more often. I've been working on some game theories as well that I hope to post soon.

The Talent Role Call

2008-07-29T22:07:00.002-04:00

I've been busy!!! Researching, writing and recruiting!! It paid off to some degree this Sunday.

industrial Zen had a talent role call, that numbered to ten potential prospects, believe me, this is enough for now. Although more expressed an interest; the turn out was most pleasing.

We played Rock Band, I caterwauled... We ate Kabobs followed by an assessment and presentation, and wrapped things up with a nice meet and greet mixed with Q&A's...

A nice programmer named David expressed a desire to program and suggested a framework completed by this weekend, although I have been taking some home time with my lady. So I won't be able to accommodate his requests until later.

I've been busting my hump, and I'm gonna take a few days!

Trever stole the show with his "Mr Blue Sky" animation! Thankfully my humor is being well received thus far. I overheard a couple of people say, "That was funny!"

So that's what I've been up to... I thought about taking pictures, but thought it would be a bit corny...

Random Thoughts of Late.

2008-06-09T22:24:00.003-04:00

Fascism is a lot like success, it's fine if it's yours.

Travian is just piss poorly designed.

The recent election results show who the real racist are in America.

God is a game designer.

Wal-Mart is willing to cash your tax subsidy checks, making it easier than ever to hand your money over to China.

When my family immigrated to America, we learned the language and assimilated not vice versa.

Mexican's are not responsible for the loss of jobs or economic hardships in America, Brazilians are. (Kidding: it's really our own fault for being too proud to do honest, hard work, as well as living beyond our means; devaluing the Dollar.)

I'm happy people are voting, now just continue the trend. Maybe if we paid attention to our elected officials they would represent us, eh?

The end is not near!! So quit acting like it is! I don't even have kids, and I'm more concerned for their future than the parents!!

industrial Zen Logo

2008-05-02T21:33:00.004-04:00

This is the base concept for the logo. Feel free to play with the concept and submit your own versions. The most important element of the logo is the little 'i' and the big 'Z'; everything else, is expendable.

Video Game Ethics guideline for 'industrial Zen'.

2008-04-04T21:21:00.006-04:00

Industrial Zen is a secular humanist video game design company that recognizes the limitless possibilities of virtual worlds. Industrial Zen believes in ownership rights in the design community, and wish to empower employees on all levels of development. We, as a company wish to limit censorship in design and sales by following a code to guide content and conduct, and share responsibility for the unintended consequences of an informed society by expanding regulation.

Addressing Ethical Issues

Industrial Zen believes the main ethical dilemma in the video game industry is content, sales regulations, and ownership rights.

It has been argued that virtual worlds should contain all the societal ills the real world does. Industrial Zen does not agree, but does not condemn those who believe so, nor do we wish to impose our standard on anyone else. The ESRB standard for video game ratings are fine as they stand, although Industrial Zen would like to expand regulation on the content of Adult Only and Mature rated games. The second issue, sales regulations, is not in the hands of video game design, but rather the hands of the retail outlet. The last dilemma is ownership rights. When a game design is so successful that other games outright steal the programming and design similar games, using that program platform.

Industrial Zen would like to fix these problems to the best of our ability, without censorship. We feel the gamer has the right to decide their moral right or wrong, but believes some content is downright inarguable, and will limit ourselves. Industrial Zen recognizes the rights of other game designers to push the limits on content. We believe that whatever benefits the game design process, and gamer is beneficial to us all in the industry. The following is an ideal work, sales, and creative environment for the game industry. Industrial Zen, while in business, will do everything in its power to direct the industry to our ideal.

General Content Guide

Racism and sexism is to be avoided. When designing a main character, allow the gamer to create their own character, and you lose a lot of the racist and sexist implications. We suggest designing broad character sets, that use many race or sex defined attributes. If you find yourself stereotyping people or if certain characteristics cannot be shared by multiple races, or both sexes then it is suggested to try another route. Exceptions to this rule are specific side characters for game play within a storyline, although consultation is needed.

Violence is defined as content suitable by the ESRB. We believe violence to be a non-issue. Any amount of graphic violence can be justified by a moral objective, so the real issue is criminality. Video games can be as graphic and as violent as you can make them, there is no guide or limitation suggested, and current ratings should be enforced accordingly.

Criminality is untouched by the ESRB. There is no limit on criminality that we wish to impose outside of sexual criminality defined under sexual content. Industrial Zen suggests any amount of criminal behavior, whether national or personal, outside of misdemeanor crime, should automatically get the mature rating. Crime should not be suggested to children and teens as a way of solving problems.

Sexual Content Guide

Sexual content is a little more detailed than the ESRB has considered. As they define the AO rated games; these are games that contain prolonged scenes of graphic sexual content or nudity, so any sexual behavior should be allowed in the AO category. Industrial Zen realizes that sexual content is more diverse and would like to address content and the responsibilities of designing a more realistic human experience. It has to be said in all fairness, that fantasies are the things we don’t do.

Sexual violence content deserves a higher rating standard, and is behavior that Industrial Zen has minimal issue with. Games that contain sexual violence should also contain programming that makes said behavior have no positive effect, or cause detrimental effects in game play.

Incest, necrophilia, fecaphilia, bestiality, and pedophilic content are inarguable paraphilias. Industrial Zen agrees that the market should decide, but has determined such content is forbidden in our game design. Topics are allowed in theme and humor only. Games that are made with this content demand a higher rating standard.

Sales Responsibility

Industrial Zen believes our customers are our employers, and any content they wish to consume is to have as much right to retail venues as any other. To have a free market, we can’t just ban sales of questionable content, but instead allow the customer to decide, and adopt a sales strategy to assume responsibility.

As suggested under sexual content, there needs to be a higher or more regulated rating. Industrial Zen suggests the ESRB extends the mature rating to cover continuous sex scenes and nudity, like an R rating, 18 and over, and adapt the AO rating to cover all graphic sexual themes, and regulate sales to be 21 only. Then have retail outlets enforce the policies.

Retail enforcement should be no different then excise enforcement. Retail outlets must take responsibility for sales of restricted content by checking identification at point of sale. Damages should be enforced, both civil and criminal for adults that knowingly allow access of restricted content to children, much in the same way pornography is punishable.

Industrial Zen will adopt a responsibility in its sales as well. Games sold in any retail venue containing adult content will be wrapped in black, concealing contents. The concealing package will have printed on it, the ESRB rating along with content contained, as well as the title of game with a brief description. We would like to encourage enforcement in any way we can, and decided that a proof of age receipt must be signed at point of sale.

Ownership Rights

Industrial Zen envisions the video game industry to be part free lance, part corporate culture, a place where everyone gets rich. To continue business opportunity, design companies deserve half of all net profit as compensation for creating a creative environment, and other distribution fees. This should encourage games with mass appeal, and create an environment of profit sharing. Pay for employees should be determined by percentage of materials used, to encourage work ethic and quality in creativity.

If a style of game design is borrowed frequently, the employee whose content is borrowed should be compensated as residual, to promote and reward creativity. If the intellectual property rights are waived to the company for salary pay, the employee and design company lose residual rights as the employee sold the work, and the company is not the rightful creator. Programming and design should be freely shared through the industry so long as it doesn’t affect a current project, and all games borrowing materials are not forgeries, but enhancements. This should encourage the employee to be creative and informed.

It is our hope that this environment is competitive and lucrative, free and responsible; and creates video games that are enjoyable for all types of people and minds.

industrial Zen: Phase one as of 4.4.08

2008-04-04T20:43:00.003-04:00

My company, ‘industrial Zen’ is a collaboration of current students at IUPUI looking to offer opportunities in game design to the vast array of home grown talent.

I’m a Hoosier born and raised, and I’ve traveled the country. I believe that there is no place better than Indiana to live and start a business. I come from a family of entrepreneur’s, teachers, and medical professionals. I have seven years of experience in the entertainment in industry ranging from music, to stand up, to writing. I have an additional seven years experience in management in the service and manufacturing industries. Five years of sales experience ranging from magazines to cars and so much in between. This isn’t my first business. I’ve ran a carpet cleaning business, sold magazines door to door, and junior VP of a recycling production company. Not to mention being a comedian and musician is just running a business of personality. A lot of lessons learned.

I recognize that a lot of jobs are leaving America, and quality jobs are getting harder to find in the Midwest. I want to help. Everything in my life has prepared me for this moment, and I never felt more at one with my goal. I have a talent at writing the details, at the same time get inside the gamers mind; anticipate the desired interaction of ‘environmentals’ with the characters. My sense of humor has always been appreciated by the gamer crowd, and my management experience just round out the set.

It’s an exciting time! Video game sales beat Hollywood, and it’s only growing. Corporate quality design software is readily available for free. Little known upstarts can take first place in sales overnight, with the proper content; content is king! It’s like the movie industry; where a small production company can write Oscar worthy material while using second rate equipment. The quality of the writing saves the bad editing or camera work, generating revenue for minimal investment.

Now, ‘industrial Zen’ has adapted recently to deal with an obvious issue: the lack of income during development. The artistic talent in the company, Trevor Barger, and I are currently developing a website featuring our flash games and animations. That should generate some income from advertising and donations.

Trevor is sort of an underground success, having a built in fan base of around twenty thousand, and is a featured artist with ‘Newgrounds’(a flash animation site). Media content will be distributed in a monthly magazine.

[ http://fleckogold.newgrounds.com/ Trevor’s thang.]

Meanwhile, I’ll be finding ways of working with local Universities and talent to develop a MMORPG (Massive Multi-player Online Role Playing Game) available via download. ‘The Way’ will be introduced in two stages, starting with a Coliseum/Gladiator game and then a complete version. Hopefully the teaser will be popular enough to sell subscriptions to the complete online environment.

We rely heavily on sweat equity and cooperation of volunteers. We’re all still in school for our practice, and have two years left at least. I personally have opted to get a computer science degree, so I have a little longer.

The initial thought on recruitment of experienced talent without funds is to offer contracts based on usable content. The desire is to offer a split of profit to reimburse volunteers for their time; based on the profit after industrial Zen recoups production expenses including initial investor buy out options, legal expense, past and current distribution, payroll, goods and services, travel expense, and advertising.

After all expenses are recovered, net profits are split; half go to ‘industrial Zen’, the other half is split based on the amount of usable content. As a volunteer, the better the quality of work, the more it sells, the more you stand to make. With the blessing of success I will then employ a regular staff, wiser and more experienced from the journey.

Investors have already expressed interest. Namely, my brother; but, to be honest, it’s dependent on too many variables to be considered serious. If he holds true though, in two years or whenever I get out, I’ll have $100,000 waiting. Where he’ll get the money, I’m not sure but the sentiment is appreciated. Other family members, the in-laws, have expressed an interest, although not nearly as generous; about ten grand.

With enough investment we can recruit experienced talent to streamline the process in game development. Funds will also be used to pay down me and Trevor’s initial investment. We need to keep the talent available and working, so a reasonable salary of $25,000 a year, a piece as well. I’ll need a lawyer for the contracts, copyright issues, and general corporate use. There may be a need for new equipment and software, on top of server service. The joy is, via the internet I need little to no office space. So I have the benefit of employing anyone, anywhere, and have them telecommute.

There’s no subtle way of saying it, I need 400 employees to produce one game in one year. I’ll be as conservative as possible, but the need is glaring. ‘The Way’ should be done by the time I graduate. If not, it’ll be well under development, I assure you, but that’s industrial Zen at its maturity, give or take a few employees.

That’s just the beginning though! Being an ardent Hoosier with compassionate and patriotic roots, I want to bring more than just college dependent jobs to my hometown of Gas City! I know that all classes are important to a healthy economy, and see the potential to create production and assembly jobs at home; to be made in America completely if possible, and if not work to create those opportunities. Gas City will always be my home, so that’s where I want to start, but that’s not where I want to end.

If you want to contact me to volunteer, or if you have a sincere interest in investing, (and with the tax refund burning a hole in your pocket you just might),you can get me here, douatkin@gmail.com. I'll respond as soon as I can.

Any amount is appreciated.