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Making good games has been a long-time dream of mine.
When I was four years old, I saw my Dad programming on the couch and decided that’s what I wanted to do. When I was twelve, as I neared the end of Prince of Persia: The Warrior Within, I decided I wanted to make games like that. I wasn’t exactly sure what that would entail, but I remember not being concerned about it at the time.
As I’ve grown older, I learned that there are some very practical obstacles to making that happen. Video games are complex beasts and the world of business can be ruthless. I decided that if I’d already waited a decade-and-a-half then I could wait a little longer.
So who am I?
Today, I am some combination of a software developer, data analyst, and manager at a manufacturing plant. I’ trained in computer science and mathematics with a specialization in game design and development, though I consider my experience in industry to be much more valuable.
My interests are broad. They include a variety of topics that I couldn’t possibly cover in one lifetime.
I’m currently situated in the icy landscape that is Canada. It’s not the worst place to be – the people are friendly and the landscape isn’t that icy – but we’re not one of the technology centers of the world.
Why am I not making games?
Making games is hard. It requires a strong team with a strong command of many skills. I remember one of my professors telling me that when computers were becoming commercially available and popular, one way someone could test that the PC was working was by playing a game. Even a simple one, like Pong, would flex the graphics, audio, CPU, and so on. If any one of these parts malfunctioned, it was be immediately obvious.
Similarly, if some part of a game is not functioning properly, players notice it immediately. The array of skills required are difficult to accumulate in a single person.
Making games is risky. It’s difficult to sell a product. It’s even more difficult when a product requires years to develop and that slippery quality of fun is what makes it sell.
And finally, I found it difficult to break into the industry. When I left school, most companies required 5-10 years of experience (more than the “1-2 years” that new graduates are told to ignore). The hard skills required were also not emphasized in my degree – I left school without understanding what a shader is.
How does the blog fit in?
The ability to communicate clearly and concisely is critical to succeed in business today. This is especially true during the pandemic. We have every incentive not to engage with each other. Practicing expressing my thoughts regularly and cogently will be invaluable.
A book, like a game, requires a high initial time investment and doesn’t give me the feedback I need until it’s published. The imaginary arguments I have in the shower (it’s not just me…right?) don’t give me real feedback either. A blog seems like the best way to get feedback from a variety of people while I iteratively improve my writing.
That’s not the only reason. At heart, I’m still a programmer. And personally, I’m pretty risk-averse. If I succeed, a written record of my attempt could help others to gain insight into my decision-making at the time. Assisting others in entering the market is a good thing. It can only help the consumers.
And if I fail…well, this blog might help someone else to do what I could not.
