It’s now 2016 and, like all new years, I have a bunch of resolutions. In my opinion, there’s always room for growth and improvement, especially regarding game development!
1. Setting monthly goals
I started doing this in 2015, but it was flakey and never got updated! Right now, I have a two month plan printed out and stuck on the wall behind my desk; I want to get most of my game’s art assets done by then.
After that, it’s NaNoReNo and a lovely two week holiday to Japan, so I hope to come back with a fresh mind that’s ready to edit and critique the heck out of my game! This is when I plan on finishing the code and plugging the final assets in.
Once that’s done, I’ll resume writing the script and get the story finished. Ok, it’s sounding more like a yearly goal now…
2. A healthy body
This is really a continuation from mid 2015, but I’m going to start running. I think it’s one of the best forms of exercise, and one I’m terrible at! A healthy body is a healthy mind, and a healthy mind means more productivity!
3. A healthy mind
This is another thing I’m continuing from 2015: meditation, CBT and self help. They have really helped with my anxiety so I need to continue with them and get better. Actually, it may only be a Buzzfeed article, but this is a pretty solid list of what I’m going to do to help myself, after all, I need to have the confidence and positivity to talk about my game at events and such! That leads me to social…
4. More social
Although I’ve always been a creative recluse, moving to Germany has heightened it. Having fewer people to reach out and talk to makes things tough - it’s almost like starting over again - however, there are plenty of english speaking creative groups over here, so I think it’s time I reach out to them.
I still need to be true to myself, I mean, I’m never going to be Miss Popular, but I do want to have a stronger social network and get to know more cool, fascinating people! In the long run it’ll give me confidence, which is something so easily lost when you work on your own all day: on a video game when you’ve never even made one before. I read an article on Cracked which really explained my lack of confidence these days. Until I’ve proved to everyone that I can do what I - myself - know I can, “the world will reject [me]”.
5. Less social media
So, part of being more social means using social media; after all, there’s nothing wrong with making friends online, right? But actually, I want to use it less. Don’t get me wrong, I am not going to abandon Facebook or Twitter completely, rather use them more wisely and spend less time procrastinating.
The reason it’s gotten worse for me is because I work alone. I want to reach out to people when I feel lonely. A bit of that’s ok, but I find myself doing it so much that I end up with less time for more important things. On good days, when I’m really absorbed in work, I don’t look at social media all day, and although that feels great, I also feel like I’ve missed news and events. So really, I need to find the balance, so I can use my time more wisely. Not only that, but I’m kind of getting annoyed with the drama and fake/ happy selves people portray themselves as.
6. Play more games/ watch more films/ read more books
Basically, it’s less social media, more games, films and books. That may seem like a poor way of using my new found free time, but for me it’s research and inspiration. I have a huge list of amazing games I still haven’t played and I really need to start ticking them off. It’ll help me become a better game developer, so really, it’s very important.
It’s also the same with films and books. I still haven’t watched Labyrinth for God’s sake.
With books, I’ve been given a load for Christmas. So, instead of wasting time on public transport, airports, the toilet etc with my phone, I’ll be playing visual novels on my 3DS or reading books.
7. Better posture
This kind of crosses over with “a healthy body”, it’s always a good one to keep in mind for anyone who spends most of their time on a computer.
8. Treat myself
I’m often hard on myself and rarely buy any treats. Working as an Indie Developer means I don’t have as much money as I used to - I’ve become even more thrifty - but I skimp on clothes, books, equipment, even healthcare. I’m silly really, so I need to let it go and treat myself sometimes, and, more importantly, not feeling guilty about doing so!
1. Setting monthly goals
I started doing this in 2015, but it was flakey and never got updated! Right now, I have a two month plan printed out and stuck on the wall behind my desk; I want to get most of my game’s art assets done by then.
After that, it’s NaNoReNo and a lovely two week holiday to Japan, so I hope to come back with a fresh mind that’s ready to edit and critique the heck out of my game! This is when I plan on finishing the code and plugging the final assets in.
Once that’s done, I’ll resume writing the script and get the story finished. Ok, it’s sounding more like a yearly goal now…
2. A healthy body
This is really a continuation from mid 2015, but I’m going to start running. I think it’s one of the best forms of exercise, and one I’m terrible at! A healthy body is a healthy mind, and a healthy mind means more productivity!
3. A healthy mind
This is another thing I’m continuing from 2015: meditation, CBT and self help. They have really helped with my anxiety so I need to continue with them and get better. Actually, it may only be a Buzzfeed article, but this is a pretty solid list of what I’m going to do to help myself, after all, I need to have the confidence and positivity to talk about my game at events and such! That leads me to social…
4. More social
Although I’ve always been a creative recluse, moving to Germany has heightened it. Having fewer people to reach out and talk to makes things tough - it’s almost like starting over again - however, there are plenty of english speaking creative groups over here, so I think it’s time I reach out to them.
I still need to be true to myself, I mean, I’m never going to be Miss Popular, but I do want to have a stronger social network and get to know more cool, fascinating people! In the long run it’ll give me confidence, which is something so easily lost when you work on your own all day: on a video game when you’ve never even made one before. I read an article on Cracked which really explained my lack of confidence these days. Until I’ve proved to everyone that I can do what I - myself - know I can, “the world will reject [me]”.
5. Less social media
So, part of being more social means using social media; after all, there’s nothing wrong with making friends online, right? But actually, I want to use it less. Don’t get me wrong, I am not going to abandon Facebook or Twitter completely, rather use them more wisely and spend less time procrastinating.
The reason it’s gotten worse for me is because I work alone. I want to reach out to people when I feel lonely. A bit of that’s ok, but I find myself doing it so much that I end up with less time for more important things. On good days, when I’m really absorbed in work, I don’t look at social media all day, and although that feels great, I also feel like I’ve missed news and events. So really, I need to find the balance, so I can use my time more wisely. Not only that, but I’m kind of getting annoyed with the drama and fake/ happy selves people portray themselves as.
6. Play more games/ watch more films/ read more books
Basically, it’s less social media, more games, films and books. That may seem like a poor way of using my new found free time, but for me it’s research and inspiration. I have a huge list of amazing games I still haven’t played and I really need to start ticking them off. It’ll help me become a better game developer, so really, it’s very important.
It’s also the same with films and books. I still haven’t watched Labyrinth for God’s sake.
With books, I’ve been given a load for Christmas. So, instead of wasting time on public transport, airports, the toilet etc with my phone, I’ll be playing visual novels on my 3DS or reading books.
7. Better posture
This kind of crosses over with “a healthy body”, it’s always a good one to keep in mind for anyone who spends most of their time on a computer.
8. Treat myself
I’m often hard on myself and rarely buy any treats. Working as an Indie Developer means I don’t have as much money as I used to - I’ve become even more thrifty - but I skimp on clothes, books, equipment, even healthcare. I’m silly really, so I need to let it go and treat myself sometimes, and, more importantly, not feeling guilty about doing so!
Alright, enough blab! Here’s a scene I’ve been working on...
This is Yarmouk Jungle. It will be a small, optional scene that’ll be part of an interactive quest. This will make the visual novel a little more game-like and give the player a feeling of exploration.
I also tweaked some code and assets before making another 3D C-list character, but otherwise that’s all the development I’ve done in three weeks! Whilst we were away, I completely relaxed and got the game off my mind. It was a good thing to do in the long run. Then, when we eventually arrived back in Germany, it was midnight on Monday, meaning suitcases and Christmas presents needed to be unpacked, the flat cleaned, the fridge re-filled etc etc! A day later, it was a German bank holiday, and then, only on Thursday, did I truly get back into game development. I tell you what, though; it feels fantastic to be back! A “Happy New Year” to you all!
This is Yarmouk Jungle. It will be a small, optional scene that’ll be part of an interactive quest. This will make the visual novel a little more game-like and give the player a feeling of exploration.
I also tweaked some code and assets before making another 3D C-list character, but otherwise that’s all the development I’ve done in three weeks! Whilst we were away, I completely relaxed and got the game off my mind. It was a good thing to do in the long run. Then, when we eventually arrived back in Germany, it was midnight on Monday, meaning suitcases and Christmas presents needed to be unpacked, the flat cleaned, the fridge re-filled etc etc! A day later, it was a German bank holiday, and then, only on Thursday, did I truly get back into game development. I tell you what, though; it feels fantastic to be back! A “Happy New Year” to you all!