So it has been a long time since I first began game development. Of course at the beginning I sucked because I didn't know jack about game development. I just knew really bad that this was the thing I wanted to spend the rest of my life doing. But the more I did the more I had trouble understanding the progression of being able to call my self good. The more it went a long the more it felt like a pipe dream. I got published for the first time which was a magical experience it was the first time I had felt liked I made it. Then the next time I got published things didn't go so well. I asked for money which I wasn't very comfortable with in the first place. [ I am a huge fan of Henry Smith's model of game development (which is the patronage model) ] Anyway I was already unsure about releasing for a cost. It didn't feel like the right thing to do but I am glad that I did it. I learned a lot about the comfortability of the indie space. It isn't as complicated as I imagined it would be. For me being a 16 year old it is weird thinking about taxes and just money in general so to have to negotiate with people on pricing and releasing was an odd ordeal for me. Although I didn't enjoy my experience publishing for money I did see it as a valuable and important experience, that I would've regret later in life. It is better for me to take a risk now because my life doesn't depend on earning a profit yet. My advice is do it now and make what you can and fail and get the opportunity to learn from the mistakes you will make. I have gained a lot from my mistakes. I wasn't happy with the work I did on my most recent game. I have done a way better job but the pressure was high and it is good to learn how to manage chaos till it becomes what you have to deal with all the time. The major piece I learned is that your work won't always be your best and you have to be ok with that. Every time I finish a project I learn so much so it is best to do as many as you can. Doing lots of projects is a great way to get noticed when there is a lot games with your name on it. I mean from only having two that got published it is insane how people have played it on youtube. Reading articles about my games is crazy. I learn a lot from what they have to say and it is flippin cool. I love game development and the more I do it the more I enjoy it. If you don't make games I recommend it! There is no better time to learn than now. The more I fall down the better I get.
Thank you for your readership,
~ N
