The Great Game Dev Delusion

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  • @LostRelicGames
    @LostRelicGames3 жыл бұрын

    New Unity Asset I released for easily making platformers: u3d.as/2eYe Wishlist my game: store.steampowered.com/app/1081830/Blood_And_Mead/

  • @lashwrithe01

    @lashwrithe01

    3 жыл бұрын

    I started my game dev journey this year. Thank you for the info.

  • @Paradigm_pixel

    @Paradigm_pixel

    3 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for the video man. During my last year of college I heavily shifted from illustration, into 3D via Blender, and a year after that I began self teaching myself coding to make games, once my 3D skills lead me to wonder if I could make a game. The path has been long, and I’ve evolved much as an artist and game developer, but I think I needed to hear this. I’ve been comparing myself to others lately and it was slowing me down. Like maybe I should be developing faster??!? But, in reality I have a FT job, and the best part is I haven’t stopped. I must learn to love the pain of growth.

  • @cinegraphics

    @cinegraphics

    3 жыл бұрын

    Great video. But one correction is needed. When media makes a video/article/whatever about a kid in China who allegedly earned $50,000 PER DAY, making an Android game, or when a kid makes some other sum (while in fact it was his father) that's not because it "sounds glamorous". There's this old misconception that news outlets are chasing sensations. While in fact most of the times media is paid to create sensations out of nothing. In this example, let's say Google wants more games for their platform Android. Because that's the simplest way to attract more youngsters to Android, rather than competing iOS. They also want apps to be cheap (free) if possible. Because that also attract users, especially youngsters who never have money. Well, one approach is that Google pays developers to make games. But that's expensive. It's much easier to create an illusion among devs that it's easy to get rich making Android games. And that anyone can do it. Even some 12.y.o. from Nonamistan. And voila... hordes of dev start making tons of apps. Mostly crap, but quantity leads to competition, and competition leads to 2 things: 1. Greater number of quality games, since it's the only way to make some money. 2. Lower prices, mostly freemium or ad-supported, as that attracts more customers. And that's why the media rolls out those stories. If you could trace the money, you'd probably find out that Google paid the journalists (and anything passes as "journalist" these days) to push those stories about magical success. It's an old tactics known from the era of gold rush, where to inhabit a certain area, you just needed to spread a story that there's lots of gold there, you just need to dig a little bit and you're rich. It's the same old tactics of promotion (but actually, it's cheating).

  • @josephemilio9819

    @josephemilio9819

    2 жыл бұрын

    I guess im asking randomly but does anyone know of a tool to log back into an Instagram account? I was dumb lost the login password. I appreciate any tips you can offer me!

  • @joeltrevor3257

    @joeltrevor3257

    2 жыл бұрын

    @Joseph Emilio instablaster :)

  • @hiihfiudshflkjhskdlf
    @hiihfiudshflkjhskdlf3 жыл бұрын

    All I want to do is see the game I really want made to be made, so I'm going to make it. Period.

  • @3604marine

    @3604marine

    3 жыл бұрын

    THANK YOU!! Thats what we are doing :D

  • @Judge_OnYouTube

    @Judge_OnYouTube

    3 жыл бұрын

    Get out of my head!! 🤣

  • @thelonecabbage7834

    @thelonecabbage7834

    3 жыл бұрын

    Good luck, man. Keep at it. Enjoy it. Also, rest your ligaments.

  • @fireflyfi

    @fireflyfi

    2 жыл бұрын

    Exactly the kind of mindset I have toward this.

  • @blabla-rg7ky

    @blabla-rg7ky

    2 жыл бұрын

    same here. And I will make that game by 2025 (2030 at the latest). But I'm not gonna use my own money because I'm very poor. I will just find a company that needs a proven to work type of game (the type I'm working on), and let them struggle with the making and marketing of the game. All I want is 10 million $$$ for myself after the game sells xD

  • @Chafmere
    @Chafmere3 жыл бұрын

    Launching my first game in a couple of weeks. My target is one dollar. If I can make one dollar I will consider it a success.

  • @fernandobanda5734

    @fernandobanda5734

    3 жыл бұрын

    Tell us the name and where to find it

  • @xoli4228

    @xoli4228

    3 жыл бұрын

    Issac Ashley don't sell yourself short

  • @rewrose2838

    @rewrose2838

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@xoli4228 You both are Isaacs 😂

  • @rewrose2838

    @rewrose2838

    3 жыл бұрын

    Never give up bro, what's your game called?

  • @mishimakazuya6167

    @mishimakazuya6167

    3 жыл бұрын

    Just commenting to get to know the game so I can get it to my wishlist

  • @mdumagutla4292
    @mdumagutla42923 жыл бұрын

    I never even thought about money...I just wanted to make a game that I wanted to play...Money was never a factor for me when I decided to be a game dev

  • @olivander5171

    @olivander5171

    3 жыл бұрын

    yepyep same

  • @joelociraptorgaming80

    @joelociraptorgaming80

    3 жыл бұрын

    Same for me, I just want to learn how to make a game. I've always had a few ideas that I just want to see created, money or not.

  • @Hot18Shot

    @Hot18Shot

    3 жыл бұрын

    Same! I will never make a game that I myself wouldn't find fun, and I never expect to make any significant money off of them anyway. It's just fun to create stuff and cool to know it will exist for others to potential find enjoyment with it as well. That's a better reward in my opinion.

  • @Schoko4craft

    @Schoko4craft

    3 жыл бұрын

    I wonder if it makes fun to play your game normal after spending thousands of ours on development

  • @apancakewithabs632

    @apancakewithabs632

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@Schoko4craft I think it should. If you make a game that by the end isn't fun to play for you anymore, id argue it wasn't the most fun to begin with.

  • @ruineka_one
    @ruineka_one3 жыл бұрын

    This video actually motivated me to open up Unity and get back to work after procrastinating for nearly a month.

  • @BrandonFerrentino
    @BrandonFerrentino3 жыл бұрын

    Some people wake up and listen to motivational speeches before starting their day. I make sure I'm depressed as hell.

  • @skilllearning2256

    @skilllearning2256

    3 жыл бұрын

    The biggest depressions come from failed false expectations. You are doing great by preventing that happening

  • @edwardroh89

    @edwardroh89

    3 жыл бұрын

    be careful, it's about balance. if you are the type to be over confident than what you are doing is good. if you are the opposite though, you are certainly shooting yourself in the foot

  • @tarekchentouf4860

    @tarekchentouf4860

    3 жыл бұрын

    You made me laugh sooo hard 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

  • @Nuetral1

    @Nuetral1

    3 жыл бұрын

    Pay him no mind. Working for someone you are guaranteed 40k - 120k per year. Releasing multiple games with you and a few developers is where the big money is at though

  • @encryption767

    @encryption767

    3 жыл бұрын

    I laughed a lot harder at this then I probably should have. :S

  • @ronhobbydev8999
    @ronhobbydev89993 жыл бұрын

    Being a hobbyist is always something to consider. It doesn't matter if you fail. And you get to make interesting projects.

  • @fracturedfantasy
    @fracturedfantasy3 жыл бұрын

    Tough words, but true words. As someone who at 39 years just started their game dev journey, this is sage advice. The part about enjoying the journey is something that I teach to my kids all the time. Life is about the process, respect it and work hard. Good luck to everyone grinding ;)

  • @Ryan-ww7un

    @Ryan-ww7un

    3 жыл бұрын

    I love the relevance of your username

  • @mnmlst1

    @mnmlst1

    2 жыл бұрын

    I'm 39 too, seeing more people at the same age starting now is encouraging.

  • @markz9739

    @markz9739

    2 жыл бұрын

    41 here, let's go!

  • @MrDankDro

    @MrDankDro

    2 жыл бұрын

    40 here and starting my first serious attempt at developing. Lol

  • @buffoverflow

    @buffoverflow

    2 жыл бұрын

    40 here, lets go boys! I loved this video, I see so much truth in this... Indie game dev is not an easy path follow, you really must put love in it, persistence and have a solid plan, even more to old guys like us...

  • @DallinBackstrom
    @DallinBackstrom3 жыл бұрын

    when he said "if you pick up plastic bottles on the street... you'd probably come out on top", that hit close I'd say that if you want to make games, you need to have income elsewhere. Ultimately game developers are artists, and artists are know to starve

  • @Alander787

    @Alander787

    2 жыл бұрын

    Yes, but thats just a romantic fantasy, you dont need to force that on yourself or anybody else. You can be an artist and also make good money.

  • @felgper01
    @felgper013 жыл бұрын

    "Dead men tell no tales" applies to almost anything. Learning from failure should be as relevant as learning from success in my opinion, but failure is something we usally run away from, like always. Great insights in only 20+min! Thanks!

  • @uberintj

    @uberintj

    Жыл бұрын

    Failure is more informative if you have the balls to pay attention.

  • @sh3rbert

    @sh3rbert

    Жыл бұрын

    Iirc this is called survivors bias, basically that you sometimes the lack of something tells more than the presence of it

  • @bigdogsmallman
    @bigdogsmallman3 жыл бұрын

    Game development is the most taxing experience I've felt as a programmer. Not only do you need to code, you need to do every aspect of a game. Areas that the traditional developer would not have experience in great lengths.

  • @tm0054
    @tm00543 жыл бұрын

    Even the devs that have big hits usually have a ton of games before it that had very limited success in their catalogue. Consistency and never giving up is the only path to success, and even then it is not guaranteed. BTW what you are saying is true in almost every single creative endeavor.

  • @paolograsso5085
    @paolograsso50853 жыл бұрын

    KZread suggested me your video. Apparently its algorithm was alarmed by my latest excitement about videogame development, ahaha Thank you for your video, luckily I was already in line with your perspective: what matters is the process of dev, and what you learn and experience through it.

  • @youtubewatcher6124

    @youtubewatcher6124

    3 жыл бұрын

    KZread cares ♥️

  • @nihil45
    @nihil453 жыл бұрын

    I can't believe how delusional I've become. Thank you for this. I needed it.

  • @maythesciencebewithyou

    @maythesciencebewithyou

    2 жыл бұрын

    You just have to aim for $1 a day of ad revenue and then you can retire in a country like Eswatini.

  • @synthemagician4686

    @synthemagician4686

    2 жыл бұрын

    Crazy how quickly a dream can turn into delusion. I needed this too, I wasn't expecting to get rich or anything, but I also needed to realize that my games aren't that special, my skills aren't that great. My skills and ideas have SO much room to grow, and that's honestly exciting.

  • @maythesciencebewithyou

    @maythesciencebewithyou

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@synthemagician4686 Even if your skills were the best, your product would most likely drown in a ocean of games. What most people ignore is the importance of marketing. That's even more important than the quality of your games.

  • @anouk8993
    @anouk89933 жыл бұрын

    You need a healthy "hope for the best but expect the worst" attitude when making indie games. Don't bank your financial situation on optimistic sales projections, especially if it's your first release.

  • 3 жыл бұрын

    AAA studios fail there with all the advantages at times. So no matter how many don't bank.

  • @alipetuniashow

    @alipetuniashow

    3 жыл бұрын

    It’s about having fun

  • @SkeleTonHammer

    @SkeleTonHammer

    3 жыл бұрын

    Yep. A few very lucky developers "break through" and some can even retire on what they sold at first. These people are VERY, VERY LUCKY. Sometimes what they made isn't even some super high quality thing. Right place, right time, got picked up by the right streamer, etc. The first commercial game I made did quite poorly. Got bad reviews. In total, sales were less than what I spent (around $2,000). And that's on Steam. That was years ago though. I'm looking to do a No Man's Sky style turnaround on that in addition to the new projects I'm working on being of much higher quality. I'm gonna keep plugging away.

  • @DBLRxyz

    @DBLRxyz

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@SkeleTonHammer what was the name of the game?

  • @chrish7308

    @chrish7308

    3 жыл бұрын

    Really if you don't have any experience making games, your first game might not be the greatest. You can't go on a 10 mile bike ride if you don't know how to ride a bike.

  • @matberry5
    @matberry53 жыл бұрын

    Some things in life come down to luck. People preach hard work and passion, but people don’t talk about luck. Life is unpredictable.... good luck everybody.

  • @Phoenix-gz9xb

    @Phoenix-gz9xb

    3 жыл бұрын

    No such thing as luck

  • @ganimol9691

    @ganimol9691

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@Phoenix-gz9xb it exists and it's very important

  • @Phoenix-gz9xb

    @Phoenix-gz9xb

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@ganimol9691 It exist about as much as the tooth fairy

  • @ganimol9691

    @ganimol9691

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@Phoenix-gz9xb What do you call like he said in the video the success of flappy bird? Or many such games?

  • @Phoenix-gz9xb

    @Phoenix-gz9xb

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@ganimol9691 its not luck just because he said it lol flappy bird was different. Challenging, but simple. Its never luck. Just like the first tree. If it wasnt for advertising and GIFs it would have never become what it was. Even the dev said that. Luck is about as stupid as life being based on evolution. Let me just end the convo with that. Respect. Have a good one.

  • @TheF4c3m4n
    @TheF4c3m4n3 жыл бұрын

    My fiance and I started our own little studio to start making games months before the Pandemic started. It has been a dream of mine since I was a kid. I had one project I worked alone on for years before I finally started learning more about Game Development. So, finally after a ton of work(Free) I am almost ready for a demo to be made, but I grew tired of my project and needed a break from it, so my fiance pitched a idea to me for a smaller game we could make together while on break from my other project. We started work on it the very next day, worked around the clock for months in order to get a fully working demo. We are now about to do an early version of it for sale soon, it will be our very first game that either of us has ever worked on. We are excited about the product we made because it is special to Us, and she came up with the idea. I hope we will make some money eventually, but it will never beat the feeling of Creation. I, personally feel paid when someone sees what we have accomplished(Being 2 noobs) and says Good Job! Greatest feeling ever! Great video that is so truthful! Thanks.

  • @PeterMilko
    @PeterMilko3 жыл бұрын

    Ive been working on my game Dwerve for 3 years. If it fails its going to be very hard on me. People have no idea how hard it is for most indie devs.

  • @AliMusllam

    @AliMusllam

    3 жыл бұрын

    How you afraid of failure, and you already succeed in your campaign with a rate of %500?

  • @BrainSlugs83

    @BrainSlugs83

    3 жыл бұрын

    Start planning now. -- the statistics aren't in your favor.

  • @DessieDoyle

    @DessieDoyle

    3 жыл бұрын

    Better not fail, I'm a backer 😉 Seriously though, Dwerve is great so far, and I have full faith in it being a great game, so hopefully it finds critical and commercial success once it's complete!

  • @PeterMilko

    @PeterMilko

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@DessieDoyle Haha it will be good but fingers crossed youtubers play it.

  • @benfoote9945

    @benfoote9945

    3 жыл бұрын

    I've been following for a while and I think it looks really fun. I can tell it must have been a massive amount of work and I'm sure it will work out great! I promise I'll buy it when I have the money spare :)

  • @chaosmastermind
    @chaosmastermind3 жыл бұрын

    The same exact words can be said for Musicians, Actors, Writers, Painters, Small Business Owners, Dancers, Singers, KZreadrs, comedians, and etc.

  • @elGringo69

    @elGringo69

    3 жыл бұрын

    pretty much anyone who has made or created anything ever.

  • @TaliYD

    @TaliYD

    3 жыл бұрын

    omg so true. thank you for the reminder.

  • @custommatrix242
    @custommatrix2423 жыл бұрын

    "Straining our eyes at 3 am" - I feel called out

  • @thereisnocowlevel1
    @thereisnocowlevel12 жыл бұрын

    As an indie game dev, this is one of my favorite videos. Thank you for this brutal reality check. This lights a fire in my heart for some reason.

  • @sidremus
    @sidremus3 жыл бұрын

    All true. I think some of the misconception may also come from the fact that in many ways game dev looks a lot like general software dev. It's really important to remember that as a game dev, even though you're using a pc instead of a musical instrument or brushes, you're still an artist and are attempting to enter the entertainment industry. And the financial and job security levels are comparable.

  • @chaosmastermind

    @chaosmastermind

    3 жыл бұрын

    Also the competition and the fact that you actually need at least a little talent (and a lot of luck).

  • @tomislavtomic7184

    @tomislavtomic7184

    3 жыл бұрын

    really no. If you are savvy in programing as c# or even better c++, or in animation side in python as Technical animator and rigger you can find ok job in the industry and use opportunity to also learn earn money and work.

  • @sidremus

    @sidremus

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@tomislavtomic7184 well, if you want to work solely as a programmer or generally as a technical specialist, this certainly is true. but, if you really are chasing the proverbial dragon of being a solo/indie gamedev then you really are knee deep in the creative field.

  • @6ixpool520

    @6ixpool520

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@tomislavtomic7184 its like the difference between a sound engineer and the band making the album. They are very different things!

  • @lukay6230
    @lukay62303 жыл бұрын

    I respect people who do game dev after work, I remember as a student, I was thinkg about my game whole day at school, looking forward to work on it as soon as I come home, but when I came home I was exhausted, mentaly and physicaly. I made most of the work when I was sick at home.

  • @Zoltoks

    @Zoltoks

    3 жыл бұрын

    Yup this happens to me everytime. Luckily I got a lot of the crappy stuff done with so its pretty fun to work on it now. Full release coming out end of december.

  • @ramennnoodle

    @ramennnoodle

    3 жыл бұрын

    Good luck! Wishing you a good launch

  • @cavedavegames5920
    @cavedavegames59203 жыл бұрын

    I am one of those people who worked 3 years on one game and sold 20 Copys on release day lol. The ones who bought it, liked it most of the time, but nobody knows that this game exist. Even when I tried to market it well and write many many emails and stuff like this. I loved to make this game, but man it was a tough road with couple of mental issues durring the whole process deving the hell out of it by my own. Indie devs have only a couple of chances: 1. Your game is truly brilliant, the idea is new and speaks to a huge audience 2. You got very good connections to big media influencer 3. You have won a lottery ticket (which is like actually playing the lottery)

  • @MHjort9

    @MHjort9

    2 жыл бұрын

    I just took a look at your game. I don't say this to be harsh, but it looks extremely bland. If that's you taking your best shot, no lottery ticket is gonna save you.

  • @maythesciencebewithyou

    @maythesciencebewithyou

    2 жыл бұрын

    If you release a game, you usually only have a chance in the month you release. That's where you sell most of your copies. Even if many people download and play your game, they'll quickly move on to the next thing. Everyday tens of thousands of games, most of it trash, is released. So your game will most likely just drown in a sea of mediocrity. It's like Google searches, people only click on the first few links they see, at most they'll go to the second page. That's why marketing has become more important than ever. You have to push your game to the front page for people to see it, otherwise they won't. Also, you need to worry about the competition and trolls and haters. If they see your game first, they'll downvote it and if your first rating is 1 star, then nobody else will want to touch it. Many successful people become successful by buying their first 1000 or so likes. Only after reaching a certain threshold can you expect a snowballing effect.

  • @futuregamer25

    @futuregamer25

    Жыл бұрын

    @@MHjort9 Bit judgy for a one-man passion project

  • @MrDasfried

    @MrDasfried

    Жыл бұрын

    @@futuregamer25 yeah but he is right.... I only watched the two trailers but just can't see a reason to even try it out. There is now world (implizit/explizit) or Story which would suck me in. Instead it appears to be a collection of gamesystems that just don't add up to a complete whole thing.

  • @futuregamer25

    @futuregamer25

    Жыл бұрын

    @@MrDasfried That’s just how indie games work. No matter how great they are, you aren’t going to enjoy most of them, because they target their individual niches. Just because you wouldn’t personally enjoy something doesn’t mean it’s bad, it’s just not tailored to your tastes.

  • @Tubeytime
    @Tubeytime3 жыл бұрын

    Being able to tell whether your project will be a success or not is a skill in itself. Knowing what excites people is a very powerful advantage. Most people are not successful because they don't take the time to tap in to what makes something appealing. If you hit a certain level of quality, aesthetic, game feel, marketing etc. then you can safely bet your game will AT LEAST break even. It takes years of studying the successes and failures of others and yourself to be able to determine whether something will draw people in or get washed into obscurity.

  • @PACMAN11155

    @PACMAN11155

    3 жыл бұрын

    Beautifully said mate

  • @MrDasfried

    @MrDasfried

    Жыл бұрын

    This!

  • @adamabera
    @adamabera3 жыл бұрын

    Funny thing is even back when I was a kid, I thought games were masterpieces that combined so many things I love, i.e technology, art and story telling. I tried to make games as soon as I got my own computer, I downloaded a game engine called 3d rad and I started to mess around with it. Although the engine came with several assets that you could use to make a functioning game without ever needing to make your own scripts, I realized that I had to learn a lot before I could start making anything worthwhile. It kind of discouraged me because I was young and thought it would be so easy. Fast forward a couple of years, with a couple of years of self taught programming under my belt, I decided to give it a go again. You and a couple of other KZreadrs have helped me take what I learned and start applying it, helping make my silly childhood dream come true. Just the fact that I can now think of something right now and make it into a game would have blown my kid mind and still does blow my mind to this day. Thank you for helping me get here, man.

  • @LostRelicGames
    @LostRelicGames3 жыл бұрын

    I thank all that took a moment to drop a like or comment, it's truly appreciated! Come by the discord if you want to hang out discord.gg/yeTuU53

  • @DarthMerlin

    @DarthMerlin

    3 жыл бұрын

    Where did you get that music from? I have to find it! It's perfect for working to.

  • @danielleary7876

    @danielleary7876

    3 жыл бұрын

    Thank you very much for making this video. I'm well into my first full-scale game. I am also a full-time computer Network Engineer as my "day-job". There is this fantasy I have of being Team Cherry, or Yacht Club, but ultimately my goal is to make a great game; it has ZERO to do with money. When I play truly great games, I think to myself "I wish I could make that", but that motivation is 100% because I would love to be responsible for providing other people that lovely feeling that I get when I finish a great game and say to myself "that was amazing". Maybe I'll get there, maybe I won't, but it will NEVER be motivated by mone. Thanks again for the video and for your tutorials, some of which I've used while making my games.

  • 3 жыл бұрын

    You forgot to scare them off early with the word math, 3d math becomes tons of fun with surface normals (or worse physics) and everything else in play. I mean, about 3 years of daily work and I've almost covered the beginning of every field lol. Unreal/Multiplayer and modeling, tons of work just to get started. But yeah marketing is so huge, and ideas are a dime a dozen. Glad I enjoy it tbh. Though not my work field. And it's worse than no return as you'll likely buy assets and courses.

  • @brandonmagnus4414

    @brandonmagnus4414

    3 жыл бұрын

    Xavier Magnus nice last name

  • @szkokee

    @szkokee

    3 жыл бұрын

    750 dollars profit in 4 years on Steam overall? Your presenting this a bit dramatically, gamedevelopment is just like starting any other business. It has the same risks and same potentials, nothing more :)

  • @autumnshade84
    @autumnshade843 жыл бұрын

    I love your metaphor of game dev being like going on a hike. It’s long and slow and takes a lot of effort, but the views, sense of accomplishment, adventure and community make it all worth it. I’m definitely learning that. Thanks for helping us keep perspective. I hope you’re find success with your projects.

  • @jarzegames
    @jarzegames2 жыл бұрын

    I absolutely loved your speech! Especially the mountain and treasure chest example at 13:00! It is always about the passion and love for the games you are making because game creation in my opinion is not just difficult but can be really stressful and it takes a lot out of you, I'm sure many of us indie game devs can relate. Your project gets more daunting as it progresses and finishing it becomes a problem, that where our passion and determination comes in to complete it properly. And at the end, we can look back and say we enjoyed this fulfilling journey and are proud of what we have achieved no matter the results!

  • @rowanalfred9346
    @rowanalfred93463 жыл бұрын

    Damn. Great work, again. I spent the last 12 years working (with reasonable success) in theatre as a writer, and the experience parallels. Keep doing what you do

  • @rmboita3318
    @rmboita33183 жыл бұрын

    Just wanted to thank you for this inspirational video mate. Absolutely loved your mountain hiking analogy and will be something I remember through my own game dev journey.

  • @moritzvoss8665
    @moritzvoss86653 жыл бұрын

    I love the music bed you chose for this... Such a good idea and technique.

  • @TheREALNag
    @TheREALNag3 жыл бұрын

    Thank you very much for this video, I needed it. Since last year I was wondering why I left my game projects pending. You made me realize that, I was doing this for the wrong reason. For some "easy money", but it was devoid of fun... So I never finished it... And because I was pushing myself so hard to do this small, quick money projects first, I actually never worked on the one actually care about, yet bigger, but that makes me feel like Time doesn't exist anymore, that wakes me in the middle of the night because I have an idea or find resolved something. Your video made me remember why I've always wanted to be a Game Dev and that's not for the treasure chest. Having found my path again, I shall resume my journey. I wish you the best, bless you

  • @nickmiller9305
    @nickmiller93053 жыл бұрын

    This is my first time seeing this channel and i can say this was a really powerful video. I cant wait to see what else the channel has to offer!

  • @Raycaster7
    @Raycaster73 жыл бұрын

    The words are important to hear. I'm getting into game dev soon hopefully. It's good to come at it from the right angle. I'm going to subscribe for this.

  • @nickcamacho4186
    @nickcamacho41863 жыл бұрын

    Hey man. Thank you for the video. I'm so glad I came across it. It's incredibly humbling for me. :)

  • @MrMelonMonkey
    @MrMelonMonkey Жыл бұрын

    dude... i felt so connected when you spoke about the people that were guaranteeing you their games would be a massive success as i started to chuckle and then you did, too. it really felt like we were laughing together :D great talk! thank you!

  • @PrismaticaDev
    @PrismaticaDev3 жыл бұрын

    I love you analogy of the suitcase in the garbage bin. I entered GameDev 3 months ago with the simple goal of building a like-minded community and sharing my experience in learning GameDev from scratch to help inspire anyone that was passionate about games to give it a shot. I just hit 300 subscribers within a couple of weeks and I feel like having 300 people to share knowledge with and support me during development is more valuable than 300 sales of a finished product. Thanks for the video, it's great advice that applies to every single creative industry.

  • @MyChunkyGoose
    @MyChunkyGoose3 жыл бұрын

    The destination is just the cherry on top, the journey is the sundae underneath it. You could spend weeks, months, years trying to catch a feeling that will only last a moment, or you could spend those weeks, months, years taking in and enjoying those moments along the way. Thanks for attending my Ted Talk and thanks for the video.

  • @jalenmack21
    @jalenmack213 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for the honest perspective! That was definitely needed. I appreciate you taking out the time to share your knowledge. I also wish everyone else the best that’s working on games, art, etc... we got this! Take it one step at a time and keep the passion alive

  • @fka8159
    @fka81592 жыл бұрын

    Loved the video. Hit so many notes and truths perfectly. Nearly poetic at times. subscribed

  • @tikareilu
    @tikareilu3 жыл бұрын

    I’ve been wanting to make a game for half of my life. I recently got serious and started my first project. Thank you so much for this video. I had already decided to make my game free to avoid that “making money” mindset and view it as a passion project on my bucket list, to learn and challenge myself. I wish you success, but more importantly, happiness and enjoyment in your journey.

  • @user-mt1hg6lr1z

    @user-mt1hg6lr1z

    3 жыл бұрын

    And how is it now?

  • @Mr.E.D.
    @Mr.E.D.3 жыл бұрын

    Im a newbie to the dev scene. Ive been trying to learn the bare basics on Unity for about a month now. Thank you for giving me a realistic outlook on creating games early on.

  • @Allan-lt2rd
    @Allan-lt2rd3 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for making this vid (as well as the many others on my Watch Later list heh). What you’re saying applies to so many different things, and I’m glad you put your 2 cents out there. I’ve been learning front end web dev, and there’s been so many ups, downs, delays in learning (FT job, kids, life), but my passion is what keeps me going. Well that, and the goal of one day making a Metroidvania type of game for my daughters for fun, so please continue to post sprite and Unity tutorials lol. But yes, I appreciate you using this platform to emphasize the importance of passion over the get rich quick mindset.

  • @irok1
    @irok13 жыл бұрын

    I figured that this video was going to be on this, and I wanted that, and it delivered. Very nice video

  • @lzy_os
    @lzy_os3 жыл бұрын

    Your skins flawless mate. Easy on the ears and easy on the eyes mate!

  • @nosleepgames251
    @nosleepgames2513 жыл бұрын

    I've already grown out of this delusion so this was actually a calming video to watch for me. Everything he said about passion is true. I immediately tried to write my dream game and found out it was not possible as many do but during that process, I found that I absolutely loved developing games. I still have no money from game development but have been doing it for about 6 years because I love it and to be honest I was feeling a little lost but when I watched this and saw how his eyes lit up when he was talking about how amazing it is to combine the love of gaming with art and engineering it clicked like "That is exactly it". If you don't absolutely love every one of those aspects of game development I would say it isn't for you, but you will find out a few months in when you realize you are in way over your head and you have a choice to either give up or find out how to solve problems and love doing it. This video will probably ironically be evergreen on KZread.

  • @mohammedalghamlasi7589
    @mohammedalghamlasi75892 жыл бұрын

    Well i have to say your explanation made me complete the whole video , while I was looking for other types of videos but your videos is quite simple run video to watch while I do my researchers . Keep making it , good luck man

  • @brett84c
    @brett84c3 жыл бұрын

    Your analogies are scary accurate, especially the hiking one. Good thing you made this. I think a lot of potential game devs really need to hear the realities of game development and how absolutely miniscule their chances of success are. Doesn't mean they shouldn't try but they just need to know how truly grueling it is.

  • @ArkaidDeims
    @ArkaidDeims3 жыл бұрын

    I don't want a Lamborghini. I just want to make ends meet doing something I love. Is that feasible?

  • @rougueone7126

    @rougueone7126

    3 жыл бұрын

    Man, I feel the same, at least if possible keeping a steady source of income would be my first priority if I'm grinding on the hours continuously

  • @DanielFerreira-ez8qd

    @DanielFerreira-ez8qd

    3 жыл бұрын

    It's definetly possible, but you'll have to wait a while before that happens.

  • @brandonvance9688
    @brandonvance96883 жыл бұрын

    How dare you crush my naive optimism! But also thank you haha

  • @thepretendgineer2288
    @thepretendgineer22883 жыл бұрын

    in all the years of using youtube, you are now the first person i have ever subscribed to and likely be the only one for a long time, love the video hope your others are as good :)

  • @articeacebo
    @articeacebo3 жыл бұрын

    Thank you for this. I am a newbie that got in it just because it came my way. I started learning on the side as a hobby. I set out a path saying that my huge game I want to make I won't be able to do until later on after learning. The mindset of waiting 10ish years to make sure I do everything right. Though I started seeing and hearing get rich quick, quickly make a game, or you don't need to code just make the game. So I started to second guess myself and started to fall off my path. I started rushing my learning and my games started to fall apart. Hearing this I almost cried because it confirmed what I knew starting out. Start slow, get a job, keep your head down and learn. Once you are ready and confident show the world the game you have been waiting to make. So again thank you for saving me the heartache and reminding me of my path.

  • @ParadoxPRIMITIVE
    @ParadoxPRIMITIVE3 жыл бұрын

    I am really happy and humbled to have heard this fairly early on in my game development journey. I will sit at my desk around the same time tomorrow and get back to work despite it. And I think that is sort of the point.

  • @LostRelicGames

    @LostRelicGames

    3 жыл бұрын

    100%

  • @Nugget11578
    @Nugget115783 жыл бұрын

    I have been trying to make games for the past few years and have never finished a single one, great to watch this kind of video and make sure I have negative confidence in anything.

  • @tekneinINC
    @tekneinINC3 жыл бұрын

    This was a great video. Got a thumbs up and subscribe from me! I’ve loved game dev for years, but I’ve never once actually gotten to the finish line and published anything, because as you say, it’s a long and hard process. And I’ve never been able to dedicate enough time to actually finish up one of my projects(which have definitely decreased in complexity as I’ve learned more). But it is a fun process, and I’ll probably never stop entirely, even if I never actually publish a game.

  • @ahmedalshubbar6467
    @ahmedalshubbar64673 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for sharing and good luck on your game dev , hope you find a treasure in one of your journeys

  • @nicolasavendano9459
    @nicolasavendano94593 жыл бұрын

    Great video as always man! Talking about those flash times brought me back so many memories from when I was 12 and making games just copying and pasting off newgrounds tutorials, hoping I could get the 2/5 stars or so needed to qualify for newgrounds content lol

  • @aptrock327
    @aptrock3273 жыл бұрын

    I have always been making games for fun since the time I did them on scratch, so what is interesting I never had that kind of a mindset. The only mindset I had was: "if I enjoy playing people's games, why don't I make a game so I make at least a single person entertained".

  • @Melitzaneitor
    @Melitzaneitor2 жыл бұрын

    Your channel is gold..i only found about it recently but i love it! What you're saying in this video is the absolute truth, and not many devs on yt would bother to say the truth because they prefer to sell videos on how to make video games...and that makes me admire you so much more! I am one of the people that have took the decision to become a software dev years ago in order to make money and be able to afford to make games as a hobby. If one day i make it big sure i could drop my main job but..that..as you say is kinda wishful thinking so i am not counting on it, all i know is i love making games,the whole process of it,the sheer amount of different things u have to do to make a game on your own etc..and i have been passionate about it for as long as i can remember, so i will keep at it and maybe one day who knows!Maybe i will make a game that people love as much as i do, and THAT is ALL i want! Love to all of you guys following your passion out there!

  • @leviathansperch7228
    @leviathansperch72282 жыл бұрын

    Thank you for Sharing this with us. It is a great lesson to be taught by someone whom knows what it really is like out there in the Indie Game Dev world. I myself Started , for my first game , over onto Unreal Engine , It was and RTS . Had a great vision for it but never got round to finishing it as I am working on it solely. I dropped out for abit. Beginning of this year I started with another , Open World Survival and hope to finish and also launch it onto Steam . This particular game I am busy with right now has really changed my mind of developing a game. See your input and and after a few hours sit back and overview what you made/implemented . That right there is the peak of the treasure chest you mentioned in the video . Loving everything you do from day 1 to your game/project. Pure Passion.

  • @AlexMurio
    @AlexMurio3 жыл бұрын

    This is why I decided to move into the asset creation instead of my own game project

  • @InsidiousDr9
    @InsidiousDr93 жыл бұрын

    Whether you're writing a book, making software, or in a music band, it takes 10 hard years on average to be the next 'over-night success'.

  • @Coeurebene1

    @Coeurebene1

    3 жыл бұрын

    and that's for the 1% who actually make it...

  • @philpayton8965

    @philpayton8965

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@Coeurebene1 i think nowadays its closer to 0.1% who actually make it given the abundance of hobbyists that now exist as the tools have become more readily available.

  • @davidcao3942
    @davidcao3942 Жыл бұрын

    I like your voice so calming, especially with the music!

  • @soulsamurai6914
    @soulsamurai69143 жыл бұрын

    Amazing video my friend, really relfecting on the true nature of game dev

  • @abidounesaad3780
    @abidounesaad37803 жыл бұрын

    When I started learning game development I thought I would get rich quick, but I quickly found out that there's no money in it, still I can't stop doing it because it's so fun!

  • @chaosmastermind

    @chaosmastermind

    3 жыл бұрын

    Yeah.. you gotta do it because you WANT to do it. That is the secret he's telling us. I'm making a game because I've been playing video games my whole life, and I want to make my own. I want to pour all my creativity and brain power into something and forge with my own hands something that has never existed before. Something uniquely mine. I'm making my game for ME.. If they won't make what you want to play, then your only choice is to be disappointed, or to make it yourself. And that's exactly what I'm going to do. And if I finish it and other people want to play it too, then more the better. I'll have already impressed my friends and maybe even my parents. (but probably not on that last one lol. My Mom will most likely be like: "Wow, that's great, but did you get a job yet?")

  • @justacasualgamer1957

    @justacasualgamer1957

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@chaosmastermind same for me making games is art not some money making machine

  • @chaosmastermind

    @chaosmastermind

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@justacasualgamer1957 I mean, don't get me wrong. I'll take the money. But I doubt anyone will ever play my game anyway. So that would be a miracle if it did happen.

  • @kernalpenguin

    @kernalpenguin

    3 жыл бұрын

    thats what i like to hear

  • @PeterMilko

    @PeterMilko

    3 жыл бұрын

    ye

  • @sergiiskoryk6668
    @sergiiskoryk66683 жыл бұрын

    "Study, discipline".... Those are golden forgotten words. And even they are far from enough. Thank you for video. :)

  • @MrEnvisioner
    @MrEnvisioner Жыл бұрын

    Great thoughts you've shared here. Can't say it covered anything that I haven't considered myself, but it's good to hear it from others in the community and to understand another person's sense of where to go from that realization, i.e. how does that awareness feed into one's actual plan of action. Liked & commented. Good luck on your own journey.

  • @SreyRc
    @SreyRc3 жыл бұрын

    This is real-talk that one may not want.. but absolutely needs. Thanks brother! Was really insightful.

  • @Videogueimeiro
    @Videogueimeiro3 жыл бұрын

    Damn, it was hard to swallow, but in the end I am feeling confident in keeping doing it. The part about "passion" really hit me well because that's what I feel, passion for the entire process and in gaming itself. Thanks for the video

  • @MrMonset
    @MrMonset3 жыл бұрын

    youtube recommendations finally got it right. This is the first video I see from you and I subbed.

  • @yerbavore
    @yerbavore Жыл бұрын

    First video I seen by you, i've been working on and off on small games and have never completed anything big, but This is all so true and a reality check I've already been aware of from other creative endeavors, but this video was just so good, and you have a way of speaking that I just had to give you an instant sub!

  • @frankfervela7897
    @frankfervela78972 жыл бұрын

    im greatful i found this video and channel man! thank you

  • @Windy2468
    @Windy24683 жыл бұрын

    The starving game developer, joining the ranks of starving filmmaker, starving artist, starving writer etc 💀

  • @zoompt-lm5xw

    @zoompt-lm5xw

    3 жыл бұрын

    Until the starving politician joins the ranks nothing will be done

  • @rykehuss3435

    @rykehuss3435

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@zoompt-lm5xw What should be done? Communism? Should people not have the right to decide what they spend their money on?

  • @realharo

    @realharo

    3 жыл бұрын

    It's not a new trend either. TotalBiscuit made a great video about this topic over 5 years ago, people were already talking about the "indiepocalypse" back then. kzread.info/dash/bejne/g2h6j9ydoKnIaaw.html

  • @aloevera7422

    @aloevera7422

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@rykehuss3435 devs need to popularize code. And doing so, would even make them a distribution channel they controlled.. If more humans knew coding, we would be completely closer to post scarcity because of robots. The constraint is educating people about coding.

  • @full-timepog6844

    @full-timepog6844

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@zoompt-lm5xw thats just an opinionated homeless man

  • @Pieris-is4mg
    @Pieris-is4mg3 жыл бұрын

    Very true, it took me 3 years (2 years Dev, took a 1 year break in between) to develop an iPhone app game that I worked on as a side project. Made $30 from it yet I took it off the App Store after 2 years as I had to pay $99 per year to Apple to keep it on the App Store so overall, I made a net loss of approximately $170 and hundreds of hours. Still, was a great learning experience and I have no regrets but the hardest part for me, was persistence and not giving up. That enthusiasm soon starts to dwindle after spending countless nights. So overall, do it for the passion and interest, not for the money.

  • @karcass7562
    @karcass7562 Жыл бұрын

    Wow, I could listen to you talk all day, you transmit such a philosophy, your voice comes to me full of wisdom. great factspitting video.

  • @deeraghoogames
    @deeraghoogames3 жыл бұрын

    awesome talk just what I needed to hear today. I have always wanted to make games and it is because of youtubers like you who have the passion for that craft that I am inspired to keep doing this working on my game , knowing that I am doing this for the journey and not only the view on the top of the mountain. Thanks for this Video.

  • @gasiedu
    @gasiedu3 жыл бұрын

    I been learning in my spare time for fun, I just love games and wanna learn as a hobby. rather just keep my main job and use game dev as a creative outlet. totally agree with this

  • @afterglowgames4540
    @afterglowgames45403 жыл бұрын

    Love your content, this honesty about indie game development is appreciated as it becomes more rare these days, there are so many cheap dream sellers on youtube these days :), keep it up!

  • @NilsMunchGecko
    @NilsMunchGecko2 жыл бұрын

    "A lotto winner will describe lottery tickets as a verifiable smart investment." Really good and honest talk, love to see it.

  • @zekeking
    @zekeking2 жыл бұрын

    Great video. I appreciate your voice and this message. This "get rich quick" sentiment tapers away as we get older and gain experience I've found, which I think is why platforms like Roblox target younger and younger audiences -- it gets these young minds used to the idea they just need to work harder next time and tries to glamorize the occupation to distract from compensation issues, which desensitizes us to the culture in the workforce for those that chase it even in a professional non-indie setting.

  • @Thewoxter
    @Thewoxter3 жыл бұрын

    This talk is so true and applies to virtually every creative endeavour in life. Be practical first.

  • @larrypendleton8195
    @larrypendleton81953 жыл бұрын

    So true, in every aspect. I myself have been involved in game dev for over 15 years, and the commitment, investment, and the amount of work required is often over looked, and underestimated. I still work on games, but it is by no means any source of income for me. Thank you for pointing these things out Lost Relic. This is a reality check for sure, and every Indie game developer should watch this video and understand just how "deep" the game dev world really is.

  • @awaytodiestudio8081
    @awaytodiestudio80812 жыл бұрын

    Very good video! As you said, the journey should be what's really important for the devs. I actually released a game this month that has not reached a huge success but it's totally ok. I'm not looking for money or anything particular I just want to see people enjoy (or not) playing my game, and this has been the case so I'm satisfied, now I just want to make the best out of my game so I continue to work on it by fixing bugs and changing /adding content but the journey already brought me so much confidence, knowledge and joy seeing little streamers play the game live that I don't really need anything else.

  • @CORKALOT
    @CORKALOT3 жыл бұрын

    Wise words, Game Dev Neo. Best wishes for the new year!

  • @sosasees
    @sosasees3 жыл бұрын

    Previously, I was imagining that I might encounter that Flappy Bird situation where my game would blow up so quickly so much that I'd get permanent brain damage from all these people and companies making low-effort naughty content without me being able to stop that. And then I'd remove all official channels to download and play the game in hopes that everything would cool down, only for everyone to download an archived version of the game and continue milking it. Now that I have watched this video, I feel safe that this will never happen to me.

  • @koktszfung
    @koktszfung3 жыл бұрын

    We only see success, all the buried unfinished game are left unnoticed

  • @revimfadli4666

    @revimfadli4666

    3 жыл бұрын

    The dire cousin of survivorship bias... Or is it survivorship bias itself?

  • @Alkis05

    @Alkis05

    3 жыл бұрын

    In statistics it is called "the survivor bias", after statistic analysis done in WWII planes that survived their mission, without taking in consideration the planes that didn't come back.

  • @RialuCaos

    @RialuCaos

    3 жыл бұрын

    I'd say it also falls under the "representativeness heuristic."

  • @Playburger1337
    @Playburger133711 ай бұрын

    Finding this channel and especially this video on my own journy and its great motivating. Realistic views, some good comparisons, own exp, a lot of honesty and truth. Should be pinned in the "dev log journy"-area :)

  • @nuborn.studio
    @nuborn.studio Жыл бұрын

    Good one! All the best to you

  • @admir3429
    @admir34293 жыл бұрын

    Very true words but do not be discouraged from trying. Not trying to make your game is an instant failure, at least if you try there might be some success.

  • @markedforstrike
    @markedforstrike3 жыл бұрын

    Thank you. A samurai has no goal, only path.

  • @pingus6315
    @pingus63152 жыл бұрын

    Even though I'm not looking to become a game dev, I could really see your advice being used in any sort of business venture that could stem from a hobby

  • @Warwipf
    @Warwipf2 жыл бұрын

    I'll be done with my CS degree in about 2-3 weeks and all I want is to pursue indie dev. I got that degree only to have something to fall back on if game dev doesn't work out. In the past couple of months I felt like it was the wrong decision to finish my degree first, because then I'd have had time to do game dev on the side in the past years. With uni and my job there just wasnt much free time left. Reading stories about game devs not even being able to break even or how hard it is to survive as an indie dev I'm glad I did it. I'm pretty hyped about going back into game development though and your videos are a great asset. :)

  • @codinginflow
    @codinginflow3 жыл бұрын

    3:01 those are cliches tho, no one is forcing you into these unhealthy habits

  • @ZachTheHuman

    @ZachTheHuman

    3 жыл бұрын

    Yeah but that’s the fun part!

  • @Alander787

    @Alander787

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@ZachTheHuman Caffeine usually makes me sleepy :D and even though I tried to make myself love coffee, It ended with me just having one occasionally but never becoming addicted to it. Same for tea, except I dont like tea.

  • @BastiaanOlij
    @BastiaanOlij3 жыл бұрын

    The way I look at it, game development is a lot like big sports. A superstar rugby/football/basketball/tennis/whatever player brings in millions a year, it entices people of all ages to play the game but especially for young kids with a dream that they too might get there and indeed possibly will with a lot of hard work. But the superstars, and the teams they are apart of, that we see on national television are but the tip of the iceberg. The majority of people who play that sport don't make a living but actually pay to play, those that do make a living are the coaches at local kids clubs and people working at sports shops selling sports equipment, for normal salaries. But you don't see those in the media, you don't hear about those in the news because they are not interesting in that way. We only see the superstars on TV, we see the big clubs, we hear about the coaches of the major league teams, all racking in money that set them up for life. But they do not represent the norm, they represent the 1% that make it big time, it skews our view of the whole situation. Indie game development, and to a large extend also people working for the large studios are much the same. Many indie developers will never make a dime simply doing game dev for fun, many make a decent living but nothing too crazy, most people working for larger studios are much the same being paid a normal wage, but they aren't the ones that make good news stories (except when big studios underpay them or go overboard on crunch or overstep a line in some other way, then its news). What you hear about is the 1% that made it big, the famous game designers who have their name on the box of the game, the famous indie developer that worked for decades in obscurity on games yet was rewarded with that one title that hit the mainstream and made them a bundle, the rare exception of a developer coming up with an addicting concept for a simple game that can be made in days and taking the market by storm (though often those two have a long history of failed project behind them that skew our view as this was not an overnight success but a lucky break after years if not decades of honing ones skills). In the end, with hard work and devotion you can carve a nice living out of this exciting and fun line of work, and gamedev done right is one of the most fun things I can think of doing which may be reward enough to accept the money side of things aren't the mountains of gold dangled in front of you. But if you go in with the assumption you're going to be one of the superstars, you're likely just setting yourself up for failure.

  • @EduardoBonfandini
    @EduardoBonfandini3 жыл бұрын

    Very good video. Thanks man!

  • @Pablito_Dev
    @Pablito_Dev4 ай бұрын

    Amazing reflexion ! thanks for sharing your thoughts

  • @1DrowsyBoi
    @1DrowsyBoi3 жыл бұрын

    My experiences with taking game dev seriously for the past 4 months: - A feeling of constantly drowning - See above Thanks for coming to my TED talk. But in seriousness, it really is fucking hard. I finally started to show people the game I've been working on and I've been getting good feedback, but there's so many things I still need to learn, things to try, etc. But I do enjoy the gruelling process of constantly learning and I hope within a month or two I might be able to release the game as a small $2-5 game.

  • @comikawn5147
    @comikawn51473 жыл бұрын

    thanks for telling people the truth ...

  • @matejmedved5823

    @matejmedved5823

    3 жыл бұрын

    I didn't know people tought that indie Devs made a lot of money

  • @matejmedved5823

    @matejmedved5823

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@comikawn5147 u sure you're not high

  • @brittanybuckfield1963

    @brittanybuckfield1963

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@comikawn5147 nice drugs👍

  • @Tubeytime

    @Tubeytime

    3 жыл бұрын

    Aww they deleted the reply, I want to know what it said :(

  • @TYNEPUNK
    @TYNEPUNK2 жыл бұрын

    One of the best indie dev vids ever made. Great vid mate, I like how u point out flappy bird is one days work. How many rich men has pewdiepie made, including some we all probably watch (wink wink). You are my fave "indie dev youtube celebrity" because u know how it is, the rest make it seem easy, some pasta here, some weight lifting here, throw a few frisbees and suddenly you have 200k and a paid year to dev it + a nintendo/sony deal. People need to remember youtube might have its indie dev celebs but there are millions of us who cant even get 20 hits on a video. I love the way you do have this view, even though you admit maybe u were caught up in the gold rush (we all are/were). The funny thing is, I still think there MUST almost be a sure fire way to get rich from indie games. I have been developing games for over 30 years, none have done well, but I feel like a game that has a decade spent on it, is basically a masterpiece, surely can do well (as you say prob not and certainly not without marketing and followers, which are hard to get). Even though I agree with you I sort of refuse to believe a masterpiece can fail badly, though clearly it can. What can I say Im stuck between both worlds even though Ive been in this indie game dev world since I was 7 yrs old, I was also a dev on GTA, and I watched them make billions from a great but not perfect game, almost felt indie back then even. Passion is indeed a winner, but again doesnt guarantee anything as you say, your analogies are spot on, I regularly come back to this video. The grueling physical and psychological, let me tell you I got DVT (deep vein thrombosis) while cramming for the Tokyo game show, I ended up in intensive care with a pulmonary thrombosis faced with a 50% chance of DEATH because I worked so hard (dont sit and code for 36 hours guys), they kicked me out of the Tokyo game show FINAL because I didnt reply within 12 hours, while I was literally on the slab having a heart operation. Not just that but it can make you insane, sleepless, fearful, panicky, "oh how the hell do I do that AI?" can sink you, but somehow you find a way, even if it takes a decade. Hours spent so far on my game, well over 25,000 hours(!!), money spent on assets £50,000 (my actual salary if I was receiving one would exceed 1 million pound easily in this time). Im not discouraged, passion seems to be my gift, I deliberately finished 40 or 50 small games over the last 30 yrs to build up to this one (since I was literally a child to 42 yrs old). Obviously its still a hobby since im not fulltime on my own games yet, I too have a day job (freelance app/game dev) - as you say it is fun, hell of a lot of fun. One thing people always forget to mention is that indie dev trains you too, trains you to be an expert in game dev, to manage (in my case) absolutely collosal projects, during my time developing this game I have made at least all the money I spent on the assets. This money was made purely because I got so good at Unity that I am now highly employable. So even if the game fails, you have become a master in a new field, that will make you many many thousands if you play your cards right with it. As someone below pointed out, I want to write the game that I always wanted, one that jumps out at me, keeps me entertained for hours, and hopefully one I will quote and talk about until I die.