My learning path for 2024

Generally speaking, I am a bit hyperactive. This 2024 I’ve decided to expand my areas of knowledge a bit, both at a deep level, as is the case of Web Accessibility and Game Development, and at a “broad” level, as is the case of Gamification and Pixel Art. Let me explain a little bit about each of these areas:

Game Scripting, Design and Development

This is one of my strong points for this year.

I like to write, even though I haven’t felt like it for a few months now. When I write, it’s usually about autobiographical or at least realistic topics. So learning how to write video games is a new thing for me, and learning techniques is helping me a lot. I’m following a course from the company Gametopia, which is divided into 7 different modules, and they take you through a lot of topics, from software, techniques, templates for character sheets, weapons, locations, etc.

As for the design, apart from having taken some Pixel Art courses, which is the type of games I like the most, I’ve opted to leave my money and look for a mentor. The experience so far is wonderful, since I have a person who gives me constant feedback, who teaches me about his and my mistakes, and who, between inverted commas, takes me by the hand in this world. You can see some of my publications on my Artstation profile.

As for Game Development, I’ve been looking at other alternatives to creating videogames through web programming. I’ve been looking at Lua and specifically the Love2D framework, and I’ve made a nice 2D platform game following tutorials. This 2024 I don’t think I’ll be developing many videogames, apart from the ones I make at work; I think the focus will be more on improving my Pixel Art and writing techniques, and then later on I’ll make a big game set in the Viking Age. Although there is a tutorial of only 950 pages (note the irony) on how to create a Final Fantasy type RPG game with Lua and Love2D that is tentatively calling me…

I’ve also taken a short course on Gamification using Octalysis framework. Highly recommended.

Web Accessibility

The way I see it, it is a must for us as professional developers to make pages accessible to any type of user, regardless of the barrier. I think it’s an exercise in empathy that makes us all better humans.

There are a lot of certifications out there, some more renowned than others. For now, the most in-demand certifications are from the IAAP, or International Association of Accessibility Professionals. They have at least two interesting certificates for me: the WAS (Web Accessibility Specialist) and the CPACC (Certified Professional in Web Core Competencies). The first one is more specific for programmers, while the second one is more general on the subject of accessibility, not only digital or web accessibility.

My goal is to prepare for the CPACC course on my own and try to pass the exam in October/November this year. In the meantime, I am training with the Instituto de Accesibilidad, which has a very detailed and up-to-date course on Web Accessibility. I have also done some more isolated courses this year on General Web Accessibility and How to do Web Accessibility audits, both from Platzi.

And as a second goal is to start preparing a platform to add content and resources on Web Accessibility in Spanish. I already have the domain: https://www.accesibilidad-web.info/

The meeting point: Game Accessibility

Seeing that these two worlds are very appealing to me, it is not surprising that the middle ground, game accessibility, also appeals to me. In this case, I am following a free course from Microsoft, the Gaming Accessibility Fundamentals.

Here my goal this year is to try to create a small open source project in which I create a UI with the Preferences section of a game, in which we see different sections that will make your game more accessible.

Other goals for 2024

• To relax.

• Learn to do nothing.

• Enjoy my girlfriend, my friends and my dog.

• Travel more.

• Change my main job.

• Play more.