And then I emerged from my cave after 3 months of being hidden from view. A lot had happened in the time that I was away, but I can’t just let the world pass by anymore.
After transitioning from the military, getting a new job, and figuring things out I lost a lot of interest and drive to work on the game. I’m so grateful to have a mentor like Chris to help me in times like this. Paying to meet with him as a mentor every week is what keeps the project moving forward even if it’s at a snails pace. I’m going to endeavor to keep the game updates toward the top of these blog entries and life updates towards the bottom while making it clear when I’m going into those ramblings to save you the trouble if you’re only interested in the game updates.
Game Update
Right now I’m working hard on getting the Steam “Capsule Artwork” completed. This is the artwork for the game that will be seen on the steam store. It looks a lot like a banner. It is basically the “branding” for the game. It’s something I know will be VERY important and so I’ve spent a lot of time with Chris working out a general concept idea of what we want it to be. I looked at around 100 steam art pieces with similar strategy genre titles. I played the game with an automatic screenshot program to capture shots of the game while playing and Chris and I found that the UI for the game was getting in the way. So the next time we met we created a hot key to hide the UI. It worked so well and I like it so much that I will be adding it to our options menu which only has the sound volume options at this moment.
Last week we did do some bug fixes, as I’m finding some soft locking that is happening with the game. It’s tough to say exactly what the cause is. I’m worried that our “Go Button” mechanic might be the culprit.
While playing the game I was excited to notice that the sound cues that I’ve started to add to the game have started to make a real difference in the overall experience. It’s a polish detail sure but it makes things really pop for me. There is a bit of an issue with normalizing the sound volume levels however.
In order to get the game to market the biggest thing in our way is getting the “Capsule Art” finished. I really want to get it as right as I can the first time. I know how big a deal branding is for every game. I’m trying to build art that showcases different classes and environments in it without being to busy. It’s a tall order but I know I can get it right.
Life Update
Transitioning out of the military has been a bit of a jarring experience. It was still a let down that the pandemic cancelled my plans in so many ways. It’s possible that God just didn’t want me to go in that direction though. I’ve found it very hard to stay present to the moment as my mind wanders back to mistakes I’ve made over my career or even in the last year. Things I can’t really change, time that doesn’t really exist anymore. Other times my mind wanders to the future with a new job on the horizon, a new house, costs to live there, the prospect of finding that special someone, and so many other little details. I need to spend more time in quiet contemplation becoming as present as possible. I need to enjoy this time of transition because it won’t be for much longer.
I have so many excuses not to work on the game, and it really comes down to what I choose to do. Instead of working on my passion project like I had planned I have
Played World of Warcraft, phone games, or Slay the Spire
Continued to date even though I’m moving
Dealt with additional fallout from my failed marriage
Took care of my parents needs (staying with them for now while I transition)
House Hunting
Netflix
Set up insurance
Put children in school
Medical appointments for children
Watched children more closely due to household situation
Took children to parks
Birthday parties for children
DJ’d at bars
Spent time with family
Voted
I’m not saying these things are bad, or good. I’m not trying to beat myself up about it but it’s important to know where the time went. Life is about choices and every choice we make passes up a different path. Overall I’m happy with a lot of the things I was able to experience and do while I’ve been in my hometown again. It’s been a nostalgic journey, but I can’t help feel like I won’t be back again soon. It’s funny because a year ago I couldn’t imagine myself being in the position that I’m in right now, but here I am. I guess life has a way of taking sharp turns sometimes.
I think I want to try, I really want to get this game on the market. I need to make more choices to get this thing done and less choices that are indulgent. No more excuses, I had my fun now it’s time to work. I won’t say that I’m not going to mess up or get complacent again, but at least for today I’m ready to start pushing again.