By Terry
Sorry I haven’t posted in a while.
Ok, I know that’s a terrible cliché, but I mean it very earnestly! I used to post something about what I was up to as often as once a week. I’m going to try very hard to start doing that again from now on.
I like new year’s resolutions a lot – this time of year has always been important for me to think back on what I’ve made, and to think about what I want to make. This is when I make plans. I rarely stick to them, though – like, in 2012, I was so sure that I wasn’t going to start any new projects – instead, I was going to really focus on finishing one of the half dozen big prototypes I had lying around. That plan didn’t last very long, but, eh, it’s probably for the best.
Reflection of years of new year’s resolutions past reveal that I kinda keep falling into the same traps, and I’m feeling all the same things again this year: I wanna sink my teeth into a big project, but I don’t know which one to pick! I’m sick of making small things, but I have all these small things I wanna finish first! And I rarely finish any of the games I talk about wanting to finish in my new year’s posts – sometimes I don’t even work on them that year.
It really doesn’t feel like a process I understand very well or have much control over. Which is frustrating. I mean, I’ve been indie for over seven years now! Seven! I should be better at this by now!
Today’s an anniversary of a very important project for me – five years ago today, I released VVVVVV. Five years later, VVVVVV remains the game I’m most proud of. I feel incredibly blessed that it’s found the audience it has. Gosh, I don’t even know where to begin talking about how lucky I feel. And its success isn’t the only thing I feel lucky about: VVVVVV was a joy to work on.
Working on VVVVVV was not like working on any other big project that has come along before or since. VVVVVV never felt like hard work – even in the final weeks when I barely slept. It took a little over six months, and I spent most of that time just playing with level ideas and getting little details to feel right. I woke up every day excited to add the next thing, to try out some stupid thing I’d thought up the night before. I loved working on it. I’ve loved working on other games too, but VVVVVV was special for me, and I think it shows in the game.
I think I’ve been looking for another project like that ever since. I’ve gotten close, but nothing has been quite the same.
This year, I think any plan I make about what I want to work on has to be a better acknowledgement of the way I work best. So here it is: I’m not making a plan. I’m just going to work on what I feel like, when I feel like it, and see where that gets me.
Happy new year, everyone.
Happy New Year!
You are awesome.
I know 100% what you’re feeling. You’ve always done an exceptional job at what you do… so keep on practicing your dream until you fall into another project you enjoy as much as VVVVVV!
Are you still interested in Halting Problem? Seems like you enjoyed the possibilities of that game.
Take care, and happy new year!
Thanks <3
Halting Problem is still a thing that may happen!
@Terry
Yay! I love the idea for that game!
Looking forward to the next big one!
Happy new year!
Hi Terry. Reading this post I couldn’t help wondering if an album or compilation of games might better suit your development style. Maybe tie them together with a common main menu to make a bigger “game”, like pirate kart I guess. Ever considered this (I expect you might have)?
(without going into that one too much, that’s something I’ve thought about a bit too :P)
no problem Terry ! we all understand 🙂
I just wanted to leave a message to say thank you for all the great games! I have been playing VVVVVV for over 4 years now – I have found that I come back to it over and over again, and enjoy it tremendously every single time. I know it so well that it feels like home, and a happy place for me when I’m feeling down. Don’t Look Back, Naya’s Quest, Hexagon and Super Hexagon, and even Chat Chat all hold very special places in my heart as well, and with which I have had special and meaningful experiences.
Happy New Year! And for my part, I’d say just keep doing what you’re doing, because whatever it is that you’re doing seems to wind up making exactly the games that I want to play and that I want to see other people playing.
Happy birthday VVVVVV! Such a great game. The only game I ever bought for Android so far.
OK, I lied, I also bought Super Hexagon =)
Looking forward to whatever’s coming next, Halting Problem or something completely different…
Thanks everyone, it means a lot 🙂
Hi Terry, just wanted to leave a message as VVVVV is probably one of, if not my all time favourite game. I can’t count the amount of times i’ve played it. I’m really hoping halting problem. Looks like it has the same vibe as VVVVV. Keep it up!
Hi Terry, VVVVVV and Super Hexagon are two of my favorite games & I’ve played enjoyed many of your other games over the years as well. I’m excited to see what you come up with next! Your unique style is awesome and although I’ve yet to complete any of my own games, a lot of my prototypes are obviously influenced/inspired by your work.
Anyways, just wanted to say hi and wish you all the best. Keep up the good work!
This game changed my life. Literally.
I really did love VVVVVV. Don’t feel bad if you don’t have a good idea right now. You never know how inspiration could hit you. I was always fascinated by the rotating room in Super Castlevania 4. I love the idea of how you don’t move much yet the room moves around you. I think what was cool about VVVVVV was the idea to control your own physics and gravity. If you loved playing with that, maybe physics oriented platformers are your niche` and you should look into other unique physics that haven’t yet been applied to platformers. While I do like VVVVVV’s storyline, for me what really makes the game special is the twists, turns and physics. The music as well fits the mood of the game. Funny too because Yuzo Koshiro who did the Streets of Rage soundtracks was inspired by 1990s Hip Hop artists like Maxi Priest and Bobby Brown. Point being, inspiration can be found in the most unique places. Keep dreaming, keep thinking, and keep living and you’ll find it man. Good Luck! 😀
Also it is possible to carry the flip concept into an overhead game like Halting Problem. Equinox was a SNES game that featured jumping in it so the concept can be added in to such a game just as long as the maps are isometric.