I have been thinking about the game Chris, Henry and myself were making a lot lately. Psyching myself up, in an attempt to get going again. :) I am not where I want to be in my life to do this all the time, but I am definitely thinking about it again. I have already started the beginning stages of this, by going on my google docs page and started reading what we had created thus far.
So, I got into a conversation today with someone (won't mention who) has actually created a few games and we have talked game design on off for a few years. But for whatever reason today, they just did nothing but talk about how hard it is to be a game designer. How no one can make money that way. How it had been a few years since i did this, and if were really important to me, I would have already done it. Plus other tidbits of negativity that I just ignored.
I was stunned.
I have talked to quite a few game designers over the last few years, and for the most part...they have been really cool people. Always willing to shoot you an email, or give you a suggestions. I remember Eloy Lasanta (as his company Third Eye Games was just starting out) going back and forth with me in email about mechanics and other things about my game. That was an awesome thing. I live in NYC, and have even got to sit across the table with some people to talk about designs (some awesome people from nerdnyc). These kind of moments are golden and I truly appreciate them.
I struggle enough with these type of projects as it is. It is not as easy thing to do to write a novel. Or create a game. If it were, everyone would do it. But I do believe it can and will be done, and for someone to come at with all that negativity. Well, it just flat out pissed me off.
I try to be an optimistic person (not always, but i do try), but when people start saying things to bring you down...it is hard. Now this isn't going to keep me from anything, but it did stop me for a few minutes. A few minutes of wondering if he was right. Then I shook that nonsense off, told him I did not appreciate his negative viewpoint and went back to what I was doing.
It is what it is. I realize that. Not everyone is going to tell you how amazing you are and that you will accomplish all of your goals in life. That is fine, I can live with that.
The only person I need to convince that I can finish what I started is me.
That's absolutely right. If you believe you can do it, then nothing anybody else has to say even matters. I look forward to seeing what you come up with.
ReplyDeleteI realize I only have myself to blame for not doing more than I have. We have not worked on the game in a little over a year. That is on me. But most of the people in the game design circuit are usually positive. It just kind of came out of nowhere.
ReplyDeleteSometimes people are bad at reading what you need. If you want to create a game for the joy of creating a game, that should always be encouraged. If you were planning to quit your day job to be a full-time game developer and were asking someone in the field what they thought, and their opinion was that it's a really hard way to make a living, okay, THEN they should offer their words of caution. But if you're just looking for input on your ideas for a game that you're designing for your own pleasure, pooh-poohing the business side of things is not very helpful.
ReplyDeleteI get what you are saying, but to me regardless of why you are going to do something, you don't have to knock that person down. I don't ever see only making games for a living (god it would be nice). I have seen people struggle to do that. I was just upset with how negative they were about everything. I am probably overreacting, but it goes back to the fact that I don't want people to like to me...but I don't want people try to be overly negative either.
ReplyDeleteOften people do not leave their own skulls. We all get introspective, but sometimes people get stuck projecting their own stuff onto others instead of holding a great conversation. I'm guilty of this from time to time.
ReplyDeleteHopefully your designer friend/contact has a better day tomorrow.
For your part, I'd stick true to your passions and vision for what's possible and what you love to do and what your strengths are.
As a note, the guy in question could also have just been having a bad day. Creative people are, historically, moody fucks. There is one guy I follow on Twitter who has been incredibly negative about everything lately (at least partially because economic realities are really getting in the way of him being able to release the books he wants to). I've seen other authors really lay into people apparently at random, because they are struggling with writer's block or disillusionment or are just feeling nasty. Then, something will turn, and they will all super-helpful and positive again.
ReplyDeleteI think that you have a good attitude. Also, you have to remember that the skills and discipline that are necessary to be a professional game developer are not necessary to be a hobbyist game developer. If all you ever want to do is screw around with ideas, and one day put out a free PDF for other people to play with, you really don't need to be dedicated.
Thanks Johnn, you are right you have stick to your passions. Marshall, whether someone is having a bad day or not is not relevant...which come to find out was the case. Things in life don't sting any less just because someone was having a bad day and let their frustration/angst get the best of them.
ReplyDeleteI don't know what i want yet. Part of me really does want to try to create something others will play. Seeing my name in print is something I have always wanted (which is why I write too). Money is not really a motivator for me, but seeing the finished product and proving to myself that I did that is. :)
I have already spoken to this person, and there rae no issues between us