The Basics

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An epic journey generally begins with departure from popular normality down some crazy path where few have ventured and even less have been successful, but if successful, becomes one of the great stories that motivates or inspires future travelers. A game that has goals and objectives organized into mini quests and longer epic quests, allies and enemies, tools and skills that unlock alternate paths and hidden gems to make the journey worth taking. It also starts with... 

Level 1

  • Base character level
  • Quick level gains and skill acquisition
  • Beginners default settings
  • Lower tier, non modified items

Starting at Level 1, there are many things to acclimate to and setting yourself up for success is a very common step overlooked with fully immersive games like this.

  1. Picking a starting skill tree to begin with and stick to for the early quests.
  2. Learning the environment and controls.
  3. Jump in to the quests and knock some of the basics out.

Web Development is my starting skill tree. This includes HTML 5, CSS, and JavaScript. 

On to the environment and controls. I will be using a 15" Macbook Pro and default OSX.

Early quest line

Another grueling day; the prospect of looking another customer in the face was about the last thing that could be wished on your enemy. Time to get started. Surveying the landscape of web development platforms looked daunting. You soon arrive upon a complete platform, designed for the most part to be drag and drop design with hosting and some explanations as to what you are actually doing in code form. Begin Level 1

Squarespace, a basic skill requirement level web development platform, allowed me to make this site and fueled me to want to create more. With the completion of a fully functional website with the aid, and restrictions of the platform a polished basic site had been achieved. Level 1 complete. 

An unexpected invite takes you by surprise and launches you into action on what would become your new life. 

Welcome aboard!

Hey there,

Thanks for signing up for Codecademy! We're excited to help you learn to code. Here's what to do next:

Do your first exercise - it only takes a minute!

Get Started

Yours in learning,

Zach Sims, CEO 

Codecademy is the first quest chain listed for the Web Developer tree unlocked at level 2. It contained the basics of HTML 5, CSS, and JavaScript.

During some of research into web developer skill and training programs, you signed up to a bunch of websites, Codecademy being one of them, waiting for one to grab you; with a click of the mouse I entered into my new starting zone, familiar in many ways but guided by many different rules and skills that needed to be mastered. Looking through your quest log you see the first few quests have been unlocked and the familiar feeling of grinding out Diablo quests is rekindled. You load up a few sets of Above and Beyond Group therapy, drink a bit more coffee and get to it.

Selecting the first quest chain listed, HTML & CSS would take 7 hours more or less to knock out propelling me to level 3. LEVELS!!! The next day would be spent conquering level 2. My fingers would get faster with the keystrokes and the basic terms would be absorbed as I traveled through my virtual starting zone.