Heya. Sorry I haven’t updated properly in so long. I have something of an announcement.
I’ve spent a good deal of this year in my old college library after work, making incremental updates to my RPG engine. I try to get to the library about three times a week, (occasionally more and often less), and spend around three hours there – about half an hour of which is spent getting reacquainted with whatever problem I was having the last day. I suppose I average about six hours a week, excluding weekends. There’s only so much you can do with that – and to be honest, it’s just really demotivating to move at such a slow pace.
When I finished college, I made a basic plan for the next few years. I want to be a game designer, but I know I can’t just walk into a job like that. I need a portfolio, at the very least, or better yet experience making games. My plan was to start by making shareware games in my spare time, and down the line make my way into the industry as a designer… but it’s not going to happen at this rate. More and more I’m starting to feel like the only way I’m ever going to get anywhere is to take a big chance and just go for it.
So here’s the announcement: within the next couple of months, I’m going to quit my job and attempt to make a living as an independent game designer.

Thanks for that insight, A Triangle Morning 😀
I don’t mean to be negative, but I know it’s a venture that’s probably doomed to failure. From what I’ve read, it seems very few indie games (outside of casual gaming) make anything at all… All the same, I figure it’s better to give it a shot as soon as I can, when the consequences of failure are comparatively small. Hey, worst case scenario I run out of money and have to find a new job! (well, actually worst case scenario I run out of money and I’m unable to find a new job, but whatever).
I hope to have enough savings to do this full time for about six months, and I may get a two-day-a-week part time job to help with the rent, allowing me to hold out even longer. This week I’ve been thinking about different possibilities for games to work on, which I hope to post about over the next few days. Trying to support myself through game design throws up some interesting constraints that I’m going to have to work around…
If anyone out there is still reading this, let me know what you think. Thanks!
BTW, yey or nay on the shoutbox?
Go for it dude! A reasonably bad scenario would be that you have given up six months to work on a game and it hasn’t sold much, … but you have the game, and that’s something pretty cool dude. I mean, I’d be happy to take six months off and work on a game and then, like, have a game, regardless of worries of subsequent employment.
Yea man, go for it. No risks, No glory. I wish you good luck. If you don’t mind me asking, What did you study in college?
Well, you already know what I think about this… Go for it! 🙂
~Josiah
Heh, well, thanks all. I appreciate the optimism 😀
Huh. I hadn’t actually thought about it that way, thanks!
Peter: I studied Maths in college. Probably shoulda done computer science or something in hindsight though.
Optimism is the only route! You won’t get anywhere with a negative outlook 😉
~Josiah
Yeah go for it! I’m hoping to do the same thing in a few years after being in industry so I can go the indie route 😀
I can’t imagine it will be something you regret!
About six and a half years ago, I took a chance and started a Web Development company with my brother. Through hard work, determination, and perseverance we’ve been quite successful. It isn’t an identical situation; however, I definitely think taking the risk was well worth it. If I hadn’t taken the risk I would have regretted it.
Best of luck! We are all rooting for you and looking forward to playing your game.
Thanks Dan, Verious 🙂
I don’t think I’ll regret doing this, regardless of how it works out.
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