i initially found this channel from tf2. they're very good videos, but i hope you're not quitting these game dev videos. they're beautiful and really motivating. watching this video reigned in my expectations, but simultaniously made me more hopeful for my project. keep up the good work.
I really appreciate that, seriously. I'm working on a new game now, which will be kind of TF2 related (it uses rocket jumping as the core mechanic), but still function as a standalone game. I'm really excited for it 🔥
@@HeyGrouch oh, that sounds great! im an amature coder, only have a basic knowledge and java and primarily using construct, and i actually am also implimenting shotgun jumping (like the force a nature) in my game, its a really cool mechanic that more games should explore! excited to see how yours turns out!
I got a lot more emotional making it than I expected, haha. I've struggled with perfectionism for a long time and I know how frustrating it can be, I really hope this advice helps! I know it worked wonders for me :)
Thanks for making another great video! You mentioned on reddit you'd like to keep hearing my thoughts. I feel I should give some of my own background first. I have basically only been doing game development for two years just like you. I started with and still do board game development and am only really getting into video/computer game development this new year. Often I'm making things just to play with friends, but since the start of 2022, I am getting more serious about my development. I do want to do this professionally in the long run. I have a degree in CS, so I'm doing well at the programming part. And the design from board games is transferring pretty well to video games. I am also starting the process of learning pixel art and drawing in general. I think for the moment I'm going to stick to 2D art. All this said, my experience is really limited, so please take my opinions with a grain of salt. As I said on reddit, I'm just trying to share another perspective (like how a playtester might give you another perspective on your game even though they have worse understanding of it overall). In terms of comments I have about the video: - While it would be great to always be able to enter the flow state when doing development, sometimes I have to do something that is easy but takes a while. Sometimes I also have to push myself to figure out a problem that is much harder than I initially anticipated. Not all my development sessions are fun, but they are always worth it in the long run because I am pursuing something that is meaningful to me. - I playtest a lot, so I don't really finish a project (even a very small one) without having people view and give a lot of criticism along the way. I do this to try to make sure I create the best games I can, but I think it also has helped me with criticism. I've found it's easier to view criticism as feedback to help me improve when I constantly use it like that from playtesting. Furthermore, I view game development as a fundamentally iterative process. If I'm getting a lot of unexpected criticisms with my "final" version of something, I can try seeing those same people's response to a previous version and then perhaps do a reiteration. - Speaking of playtesting, making a "blue box prototype" (I actually cheat and use other color boxes :P ) is one of the best ways to start a project in my opinion. It forces me to think about my minimum viable product and core experience right off the bat, and it gives me an initial game I can make in a few hours and then test. - People seem to have a natural fear of having others see them fail, and it's hard to squash that. I think that's why playtesting is so hard to do at first, and why it's so hard to show finished works to others. One of the best books I've read on games in the past year is called Your Move by Joan Moriarty and Jonathan Kay, and it has a really good chapter on this. The book is on board games specifically, but I highly recommend it for all game developers. Thank you again for making this video. I really enjoyed it and am excited for your next one :D
Thank you so much for your detailed feedback! I definitely agree with you, especially with the "blue box" prototyping. :) I didn't mention playtesting or prototyping in this video, but now I'm thinking I should make a whole video just on that topic since it's so important. You've given me a lot to think about regarding the flow state too, I've noticed similar patterns when I work too. I hope your projects go well! I'd love to see those board games you've worked on too!
Honestly, I have yet to see a video on game development topics, that are as well crafted as this one. Many of the larger channels fall complacent to basing their advice on the subjective success they have achieved (or are yet to achieve) with one project they are working on. I am glad to see that seems to be not the case here. Really well done!
Thank you! While those channels have their place, I'm glad you think I was able to offer a fresh perspective :) I do worry that a lot of new devs follow some advice too religiously instead of going out and learning for themselves. Perhaps that's just part of the learning process though :)
Great video, Jake! This is sound advice not just for creative work but life in general. I’m glad you were able to find your passion and pursue it. You’re on the right track, keep going!
What he said! These are great ideals to live and design by. Most veteran game devs will agree: build a bunch of shitty games before you even try to build a good one. Somewhere along the way they’ll start turning out alright! That being said, this did come across as a little preachy / motivational. If that’s the vibe you were going for, congrats! You made it haha. If you were going for a more informative tone, one way to get closer to that is leave it a bit “impersonal.” Talk like you’re giving a presentation in a classroom setting, somewhere you wouldn’t say “have a good day, wherever you are” ( that was just an example - I actually liked that touch ) Otherwise, really good job!
@@seanlowe7443 Haha I see where you're coming from :) Personally I like videos that have more of an emotional feel, it tends to engage me more. Plus that's just how I tend to talk naturally. Glad you liked the video!
Maybe I should sit down a do something instead of procrastinating by watching videos and interviews with advice about sitting down and doing something...
Maybe! The hardest step is always the first one. If you're having trouble getting started, what works for me is just starting SUPER TINY. Like, even just "work on this thing for 5 minutes." It helps get the ball rolling, trust me!
Glad you liked it! Honestly I'm happy with the amount of views it has :) If I imagine giving a lecture in front of 633 people... wow. That's a lot of people! This video and "Is Chance Fair?" are the videos I'm most proud of oddly enough, even though they didn't get a ton of views
This is a really helpful vid and I am honestly shocked that is has so little views yet. Its more helpful and well made then most of the popular channels considering this type of topic.
Thanks :) I've been learning marketing to try and fix that problem, but while I do - sharing with your friends always helps out! Glad the video was helpful for you!
i initially found this channel from tf2. they're very good videos, but i hope you're not quitting these game dev videos. they're beautiful and really motivating. watching this video reigned in my expectations, but simultaniously made me more hopeful for my project. keep up the good work.
I really appreciate that, seriously. I'm working on a new game now, which will be kind of TF2 related (it uses rocket jumping as the core mechanic), but still function as a standalone game. I'm really excited for it 🔥
@@HeyGrouch oh, that sounds great! im an amature coder, only have a basic knowledge and java and primarily using construct, and i actually am also implimenting shotgun jumping (like the force a nature) in my game, its a really cool mechanic that more games should explore! excited to see how yours turns out!
I got a lot more emotional watching this video than I expected. Going to keep this around for whenever my perfectionism takes over!
I got a lot more emotional making it than I expected, haha. I've struggled with perfectionism for a long time and I know how frustrating it can be, I really hope this advice helps! I know it worked wonders for me :)
Awesome video! Smooth editing mate :). New sub
Thanks!! :)
Thanks for making another great video! You mentioned on reddit you'd like to keep hearing my thoughts.
I feel I should give some of my own background first. I have basically only been doing game development for two years just like you. I started with and still do board game development and am only really getting into video/computer game development this new year. Often I'm making things just to play with friends, but since the start of 2022, I am getting more serious about my development. I do want to do this professionally in the long run. I have a degree in CS, so I'm doing well at the programming part. And the design from board games is transferring pretty well to video games. I am also starting the process of learning pixel art and drawing in general. I think for the moment I'm going to stick to 2D art. All this said, my experience is really limited, so please take my opinions with a grain of salt. As I said on reddit, I'm just trying to share another perspective (like how a playtester might give you another perspective on your game even though they have worse understanding of it overall).
In terms of comments I have about the video:
- While it would be great to always be able to enter the flow state when doing development, sometimes I have to do something that is easy but takes a while. Sometimes I also have to push myself to figure out a problem that is much harder than I initially anticipated. Not all my development sessions are fun, but they are always worth it in the long run because I am pursuing something that is meaningful to me.
- I playtest a lot, so I don't really finish a project (even a very small one) without having people view and give a lot of criticism along the way. I do this to try to make sure I create the best games I can, but I think it also has helped me with criticism. I've found it's easier to view criticism as feedback to help me improve when I constantly use it like that from playtesting. Furthermore, I view game development as a fundamentally iterative process. If I'm getting a lot of unexpected criticisms with my "final" version of something, I can try seeing those same people's response to a previous version and then perhaps do a reiteration.
- Speaking of playtesting, making a "blue box prototype" (I actually cheat and use other color boxes :P ) is one of the best ways to start a project in my opinion. It forces me to think about my minimum viable product and core experience right off the bat, and it gives me an initial game I can make in a few hours and then test.
- People seem to have a natural fear of having others see them fail, and it's hard to squash that. I think that's why playtesting is so hard to do at first, and why it's so hard to show finished works to others. One of the best books I've read on games in the past year is called Your Move by Joan Moriarty and Jonathan Kay, and it has a really good chapter on this. The book is on board games specifically, but I highly recommend it for all game developers.
Thank you again for making this video. I really enjoyed it and am excited for your next one :D
Thank you so much for your detailed feedback! I definitely agree with you, especially with the "blue box" prototyping. :) I didn't mention playtesting or prototyping in this video, but now I'm thinking I should make a whole video just on that topic since it's so important. You've given me a lot to think about regarding the flow state too, I've noticed similar patterns when I work too. I hope your projects go well! I'd love to see those board games you've worked on too!
Me not finishing this video;
If you could pay attention to this you'd be very unhappy!
Honestly, I have yet to see a video on game development topics, that are as well crafted as this one. Many of the larger channels fall complacent to basing their advice on the subjective success they have achieved (or are yet to achieve) with one project they are working on. I am glad to see that seems to be not the case here.
Really well done!
Thank you! While those channels have their place, I'm glad you think I was able to offer a fresh perspective :) I do worry that a lot of new devs follow some advice too religiously instead of going out and learning for themselves. Perhaps that's just part of the learning process though :)
Great video, Jake! This is sound advice not just for creative work but life in general. I’m glad you were able to find your passion and pursue it. You’re on the right track, keep going!
What he said! These are great ideals to live and design by. Most veteran game devs will agree: build a bunch of shitty games before you even try to build a good one. Somewhere along the way they’ll start turning out alright!
That being said, this did come across as a little preachy / motivational. If that’s the vibe you were going for, congrats! You made it haha. If you were going for a more informative tone, one way to get closer to that is leave it a bit “impersonal.”
Talk like you’re giving a presentation in a classroom setting, somewhere you wouldn’t say “have a good day, wherever you are” ( that was just an example - I actually liked that touch )
Otherwise, really good job!
@@seanlowe7443 Haha I see where you're coming from :) Personally I like videos that have more of an emotional feel, it tends to engage me more. Plus that's just how I tend to talk naturally. Glad you liked the video!
Maybe I should sit down a do something instead of procrastinating by watching videos and interviews with advice about sitting down and doing something...
Maybe! The hardest step is always the first one. If you're having trouble getting started, what works for me is just starting SUPER TINY. Like, even just "work on this thing for 5 minutes." It helps get the ball rolling, trust me!
@@HeyGrouch Yeah, alright, I'll it.
damn this is good
thanks mate :)
Very good vid dude, hope you get more recognized!
Firstly I saw your tf2 video, then I stumble across this video. Well, now I'm your sub
Thanks for being here :)
This video might not have done as well as you hoped but as viewer number 633 on it I really enjoyed it!
Glad you liked it! Honestly I'm happy with the amount of views it has :) If I imagine giving a lecture in front of 633 people... wow. That's a lot of people! This video and "Is Chance Fair?" are the videos I'm most proud of oddly enough, even though they didn't get a ton of views
this has WAY less views than it should for the quality
very nice
thanks!
This is a really helpful vid and I am honestly shocked that is has so little views yet. Its more helpful and well made then most of the popular channels considering this type of topic.
Thanks :) I've been learning marketing to try and fix that problem, but while I do - sharing with your friends always helps out! Glad the video was helpful for you!