For my next act
I don't wanna do nothing but be in a rock band.
I'm a little less upset than Jimme but I relate.
If you're reading this, I'm leaving my job at the end of September.
Why?
I was recently talking with some friends and the ageless question “what would you do if you weren't doing your current job?” came up.
After everyone gave their answer, one person said “these are nice ideas but none of them are ever going to happen.”
The conversation moved on but I didn't.
I hated the thought of being someone that has dreams and never does anything about them.
So what's your dream?
I want to experience what it would be like to work on my personal projects full-time.
I've been programming since I was in middle school. I spent countless hours in my room making computers do fun things. The skills I have now would amaze my kid-self. Yet I use my skills mostly to make computers do things other people find fun.
It's a small tragedy. The better you get at doing the thing you love, the less time you have to make something you love.
At least that's how it went for me.
Games
I like games a lot.
I like how they make people feel. I like the stories they tell. I like the design that goes into them. But more than anything, I like that they are unapologetically unimportant.
In the tech industry, so many people are convinced that what they are building is going to alter the course of humanity.
Games really only claim to provide enjoyment and even that isn't a guarantee.
The plan
From October to December, I will be building rapid game prototypes.
Each prototype will be built in 3-5 days and demonstrate a single game mechanic, art style, player interaction, etc.
After the prototyping period ends, I'll pick one game to build into a small finished product.
Future posts
Every completed prototype will come with a blog post and a link to a playable version of the game.
The post will describe what I built, what it taught me and whether I think it's any good.
The first post for my game Mini Mars is live now.
You
The biggest help you can provide is by reading my posts and cheering me on.
If you want to do more than that, I'd love if you played the prototypes and let me know what you think.
If you are someone that wants to work on one of these prototypes (3-5 days start to finish), send me an email.
The only thing better than making cool things is making cool things with other people.
Special thanks
Thank you to everyone that listened to me talk about my dream.
It means more than you'll ever know.
Let the games begin…