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WHAT DOES IT TAKE FOR YOU TO WORK ON YOUR GAMES?
Posts
Max McGee
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CloseI have never felt like enough people play or comment on my games for the amount of work I put into them. I could throw some numbers at you (BACKSTAGE II with under 25 downloads being the most striking at the moment) but I don't wanna sound bitter.
Blind
2262
author=Max McGee link=topic=2654.msg53278#msg53278 date=1230792124I have no way of personally understanding your mentality, but consider that quantity doesn't always reflect acceptance. I know full well that your games have a rather HUGE following and most of them are pretty dedicated fans. An intimate amount of appreciation should be more incentive than meaningless COMMUNITY FAME. It's pretty overrated!
I have never felt like enough people play or comment on my games for the amount of work I put into them. I could throw some numbers at you (BACKSTAGE II with under 25 downloads being the most striking at the moment) but I don't wanna sound bitter.
That said, I probably shouldn't be "preaching" to anyone, as I've had absolutely no motivation to work on anything for five months.
author=BlindSight link=topic=2654.msg53289#msg53289 date=1230794739author=Max McGee link=topic=2654.msg53278#msg53278 date=1230792124I have no way of personally understanding your mentality, but consider that quantity doesn't always reflect acceptance. I know full well that your games have a rather HUGE following and most of them are pretty dedicated fans. An intimate amount of appreciation should be more incentive than meaningless COMMUNITY FAME. It's pretty overrated!
I have never felt like enough people play or comment on my games for the amount of work I put into them. I could throw some numbers at you (BACKSTAGE II with under 25 downloads being the most striking at the moment) but I don't wanna sound bitter.
That said, I probably shouldn't be "preaching" to anyone, as I've had absolutely no motivation to work on anything for five months.
Ah, but I want to help parlay this into a career (not necessarily in professional game design working for a company, but having a "userbase" for diverse products I want to actually sell one day in the not too distant future. If not video games than tabletop RPGs, or even just getting my name out there and known to help sell my prose fiction if I ever go the dreaded self-publishing route, where you have to do your own marketing. The more known I am in any arena with any subset of the population no matter how "tiny" or "insignificant" is a place to start! I've been to numerous seminars and workshops and panels where I've had this idea pushed at me. "Get your name out there! However you can!")
Hence, having a following isn't just vanity for me! It's actually the first baby steps towards any number of creative/entrepeneurial careers. That's where "community fame" can be important.
But enough about me...time for a general observation!
You know what I think?
I think everyone (who cares) assumes everyone else has a bigger fanbase than they really do. That is one definite trend I've noticed.
Anaryu
8848
I mentioned this in IRC but you'd already gone AFK!
Part of the problem is the same most places have; we're mostly a community of developers. Developers who give "high quality" feedback and are making their own projects.
We should focus less on thread and long reviews and more on getting PLAYERS recruited. The new RMN3 focus announced today where games will be featured not in vague threads is a great opportunity for us to make this site 2 sided:
1. The developers who make the games, share ideas, help each other, and converse
2. The players who play the games, hopefully talk about their experiences, and converse
The biggest "motivation" for any developer is really people saying "Hey, I played your game and want to see more!"
One can say a true sign of success is really if the audience enjoys it, not if your group of peers does. World of Warcraft is highly criticized by other MMO developers for being simple and not bring much new to the table, but you can NOT argue with the insane success they've had, showing that just because the experts think you're dull or unoriginal it doesn't mean that the audience agrees. *cough*moviecritics*cough*
Seeing what kinds of people don't like and do like your games can also help you judge what you're doing at a higher level. Are only the fanatics and masochists interested in your titles while the casual gamer gives up after 5 minutes? There are lessons from experience that theory and talking just won't give you.
Part of the problem is the same most places have; we're mostly a community of developers. Developers who give "high quality" feedback and are making their own projects.
We should focus less on thread and long reviews and more on getting PLAYERS recruited. The new RMN3 focus announced today where games will be featured not in vague threads is a great opportunity for us to make this site 2 sided:
1. The developers who make the games, share ideas, help each other, and converse
2. The players who play the games, hopefully talk about their experiences, and converse
The biggest "motivation" for any developer is really people saying "Hey, I played your game and want to see more!"
One can say a true sign of success is really if the audience enjoys it, not if your group of peers does. World of Warcraft is highly criticized by other MMO developers for being simple and not bring much new to the table, but you can NOT argue with the insane success they've had, showing that just because the experts think you're dull or unoriginal it doesn't mean that the audience agrees. *cough*moviecritics*cough*
Seeing what kinds of people don't like and do like your games can also help you judge what you're doing at a higher level. Are only the fanatics and masochists interested in your titles while the casual gamer gives up after 5 minutes? There are lessons from experience that theory and talking just won't give you.
Whoa, well, I don't require much for me to work on my games. All I need are some ideas. Even if I have a busy schedule, I can usually manage to find a way to squeeze a bit of time for hobbies in my day ... or week.
waytogo24
37
since I am totally new to this and this my first game I actually have no problem going in and dabbling around at random times. It is quite fun actually ;D.
drakiyth
50
Doesn't matter. No matter what you do with a game some tool will bash it. RM game creation is a violent bitch fest. Humans will never get along man. We just always want to be better then each other. My avatar is exactly our future.
ZPE
1562
Heh, I partially agree. However, if you're going to release it to the public then their opinions do matter otherwise don't bother uploading it to the internets. Of course there are people that just moan about the smallest of things but I'm not talking about that, more like thoughts on balancing battles and story which sometimes need some harsh criticism.
VideoWizard
2842
drakiyth, That's... a mighty grim way of putting it.
I don't know why some games give the impression of higher fanbases. Before Max pointed it out, I figured almost certainly that Backstage II had more fans than that.
In order to work on my games, it takes three things.
1) Inspiration. That's been running low until recently.
2) Motivation. Also has been running low, although it's improving.
3) Feedback! Feedback! FEEDBACK! (/caps) It's middling at this point.
If I don't feel inspired, motivated, and energized (feedback plz), then nothing is going to happen for a week or two, at least. Although I find the late Dec- mid Jan period one of the worst for development, due to the draining holidays, I should be ready to start back soon.
I don't know why some games give the impression of higher fanbases. Before Max pointed it out, I figured almost certainly that Backstage II had more fans than that.
In order to work on my games, it takes three things.
1) Inspiration. That's been running low until recently.
2) Motivation. Also has been running low, although it's improving.
3) Feedback! Feedback! FEEDBACK! (/caps) It's middling at this point.
If I don't feel inspired, motivated, and energized (feedback plz), then nothing is going to happen for a week or two, at least. Although I find the late Dec- mid Jan period one of the worst for development, due to the draining holidays, I should be ready to start back soon.
demondestiny
889
author=drakiyth link=topic=2654.msg55704#msg55704 date=1231815013
Doesn't matter. No matter what you do with a game some tool will bash it. RM game creation is a violent bitch fest. Humans will never get along man. We just always want to be better then each other. My avatar is exactly our future.
Yes i do understand what you mean but that's all part of being a game designer.
Darken
3952
author=drakiyth link=topic=2654.msg55704#msg55704 date=1231815013
Doesn't matter. No matter what you do with a game some tool will bash it. RM game creation is a violent bitch fest. Humans will never get along man. We just always want to be better then each other. My avatar is exactly our future.
Did you ever consider that someone pointing out the faults in your game might be trying to... HELP YOU? Honestly, what the fuck. I write a biting review for the game Demon Destiny saying how bad it was, pointing out it's flaws, and giving it a flat out 1. Did Demondestiny bitch and claim my opinion was invalid as if he were from Nazi Germany? Fuck no. He went straight on with Demon Destiny 2.
author=Max McGee link=topic=2654.msg53278#msg53278 date=1230792124
I have never felt like enough people play or comment on my games for the amount of work I put into them. I could throw some numbers at you (BACKSTAGE II with under 25 downloads being the most striking at the moment) but I don't wanna sound bitter.
I understand what you mean, Max. Underneath everything else is a niggling hope that people will like your game and get excited about it. It can hurt when you present it to the best of your ability and get a lukewarm reaction from three different people. (That last part is directed at myself, not you.)
Knowing that other people are genuinely interested in your project can be a huge boost to your morale and your creative juices. It's like a rush of adrenaline and feels incredible.
VerifyedRasta
581
author=Max McGee link=topic=2654.msg53278#msg53278 date=1230792124
I have never felt like enough people play or comment on my games for the amount of work I put into them. I could throw some numbers at you (BACKSTAGE II with under 25 downloads being the most striking at the moment) but I don't wanna sound bitter.
From what I've seen, you certainly do put a good amount of work into your games (Weird, because you have so many, where do you find the time?)
I'm going to try and give ALL your games a try tomorrow after class
author=VerifyedRasta link=topic=2654.msg55754#msg55754 date=1231820665
(Weird, because you have so many, where do you find the time?)
He has the time because he is a sexless white nerd living with his grandparents.
please amplify your sarcasm signal before responding
Plus: Years are chock full of 365 days. Wow!
Nightblade
2723
Doesn't matter. No matter what you do with a game some tool will bash it. RM game creation is a violent bitch fest. Humans will never get along man. We just always want to be better then each other. My avatar is exactly our future.
With every creative medium comes criticism. If you cannot handle this fact I suggest you give up now.
drakiyth
50
author=Nightblade link=topic=2654.msg55761#msg55761 date=1231823996Doesn't matter. No matter what you do with a game some tool will bash it. RM game creation is a violent bitch fest. Humans will never get along man. We just always want to be better then each other. My avatar is exactly our future.
With every creative medium comes criticism. If you cannot handle this fact I suggest you give up now.
You know what Nightblade? I totally agree with you dude. This was some of the wisest and coolest shit I have ever seen you type man. It's simply going to happen. You will have fans and you will have people hating on your shit.
Dude, you're pretty cool. No hard feelings for the bullshit on GW.
Yoshio
774
no one replying to my game threads
if I see no new things to respond to, then I'm forced to get out of lazy town and continue work on my game
I've already seen interest from several people here and in other places, so as has been said, that really pumps me up to give them a demo
so I guess if you want the demo out sooner, bore me
if I see no new things to respond to, then I'm forced to get out of lazy town and continue work on my game
I've already seen interest from several people here and in other places, so as has been said, that really pumps me up to give them a demo
so I guess if you want the demo out sooner, bore me
AznChipmunk
4613
Teammates poking me.
Actually, just feedback will make me want to work. I am incredibly perfectionist so criticism will cause me to start fixing stuff. (As long as it is reasonable criticism.)
Some other stuff is basically given.
Actually, just feedback will make me want to work. I am incredibly perfectionist so criticism will cause me to start fixing stuff. (As long as it is reasonable criticism.)
Some other stuff is basically given.
