Worried, Scared. Life wasted? [ANSWERED]

General Discussions
#1

Hello. Here is my story first:

I started programming at ten year’s old. I was learning python. Hello world!. I loved the concept of how I made the computer do that! I asked about what programming could do. I asked if I could make a robot move, ‘Yes’ they replied. Can I make games…? I asked ‘Yes’ they replied. I decided from then on I would try and learn programming! I got books looked on online video’s. I got to a stage where I could use Python GUI librays and layouts and I knew lot’s! But I knew this was not good enough. At 11 I learned HTML5 and CSS3. It was amazing! I created webpages and learned about connection’s! Most questions about programming I could answer. But then I moved on to java when I was 12. I fell in love. I used the eclipse IDE. And started learning about java. The whole new body layout of Java code made my head spin around. But after time it came to me and I learned alot! Then I learned about Java Game Development, I used spritesheets, I used Rasters, Buffers complex Exeleration code, you name it! When I was 14 I had the power to create alot of stuff. My friend Luka did alot of art for me. He did most of my sprites. And tobi wrote some music for me. It was to play around with my friends. Let’s make a Pink vrs Blue ball game. I had the power.

Im now 15. And I go back to when I was 10. I want to develop games. But I have looked at others stories. All grim, most just give up. Some try for all of there lifes but don’t even get noticed. “Life of a game developer is hard” they say. Pepole can’t market there games. DONT HAVE THE MONEY, THE TIME, THE TEAM, THE POWER? If I took ALL the game developers and compared it only to the one’s who get noticed. I would say 0.03%? It’s sad. Im scared. I feel useless. Did I waste my life. I wanted to make others happy by making game’s. It’s fun when I do it. But now im lost.

‘PC Is a hard market’
‘Too many larger teams out there’
‘Cold life, cold life…’

Im scared? Any advice, can I make a living one day? :o

#2

Uhm, I guess we have to see game development as art, and like with any other kind of art, you have to be lucky.
You can not really plan success and also you should not base any fun you have from development on actually being successful, just make games you think others or you would like and share them, you will see what happens in each case.

If you want to make your living with it, don’t try to enforce it being an indie dev, thats pretty much the same as saying “I’ll start a buisness now” without having the least product to offer, but join some studio or something, or just work as whatever and do indie development -like probably most of us here- as a hobby.

#3

Just learn marketing and put some damn effort into your work. Those who fail are those who don’t put any effort into their projects; the very moment something bad happens to them, they give up. Don’t be one of those people.

Want real success? Don’t become a hobbyist.

  • Jev
#4

Still not guaranteed, but yes, this increases your chances definitely a lot.

#5

I have not planned my life. Im not saying oh, this is my job. Im going to live a normal life and live this as a side project. But before I die I will keep working on this and try and make it full time ONEDAY. Because its been my dream. But thanks for the advice.

#6

Fear of failure is pointless.
It is what improves you. You gain from it, you absorb it.

Play some Dark Souls.

#7

You are 15 years old and you know Java, Python, HTML(5) and CSS and you said you enjoyed learning and using all this languages,concepts etc., but stil you wonder, if you have wasted your life?
In my opinion, life is all about having fun and as you said you had fun, so you did not waste any time.
Also, you are 15 years old only and you have allready much experience with programming. This experience will definitely help you in future, as the software industry is a big and I guess stil growing industry. Almost everything we use nowadays has some software inside (from phones to washing machines to cars).
Even if in future you don’t want to be a programmer, you did not waste any time, experience is always worth something and as i said you had fun gaining the experience you now have.

If your goal is to create a game (almost alone), which becomes as famous as for example Minecraft (it sounds like you want to be like Notch), than please look for another goal. It is just luck, don’t expect, that Millions of Users will play your game, be happy, if there are 100 or 1000 players, having fun with it.
Also don’t develop to gain money, at least not with 15 years only, develop for fun. If you are old nough, you can look for a job as developer and maybe in your freetime you can continue developing games.
If you have a solid game (ofc post all your progress on JGO :D) you can put your game on Steam Greenlight and do some advertisement on Facebook, Twitter and in different forums like this one. You can also post it on IdieDB etc. and maybe you get Greenlit, like for example, Daedalus or Retro-Pixel-Castles

#8

Want real happiness? Stay a hobbyist :wink:

#9

Hi

Do you want to write games to get noticed, for the buzz, to be famous, or just for fun? If you want to become famous quickly, game programming isn’t the best way. I started programming at almost 6, I have worked 8 years on the same project and I’m still motivated. I have worked on it at first for my own pleasure, without worrying about the fame.

Happiness != fame. Are you sure that you would be happy if you couldn’t eat in a restaurant without being spotted? In my case, I know the answer. The fame can be cumbersome and weighty.

#10

Well. Pepole who think im doing it for Fame or for ’ Money '. They are wrong the reason I say A living is because its what I enjoy what I find fun. I won’t get what I want but oneday If I can it will bring alot more happy ness to me

#11

Your 15.

You don’t even know what fear is. Get on with it and enjoy the process.

#12

KK (Topic-END)

#13

Sorry if I keep the same but I would say two things. Like you I started programming 10 years with the C then worked with Unity (now hate), jMonkeyEngine, PHP (which I stopped immediately because I do not enamored), Java2D and now I find myself using opengl, my new love, I’m 13 years old and I can tell you that even if you do not do the programmer as work or hobby you will have a different view of the world around you and the operation of new technologies. I enjoy it when I know how some software or video games works while my friends or parents do not know how to explain it that they seem to spell. So, think on it and have fun programming…

#14

Too bad your own happiness doesn’t make any progress for others.

I’d much rather spend my life being successful and making others happy, as opposed to only making myself happy by producing nothing. Just my opinion, anyway.

And for OP: Look into gamification, seriously.

  • Jev
#15

People who tell you to give up you be smacked.

If I actually listened to the naysayers who want to spit out excuses why you can’t make it alone I wouldn’t be where I am today. I can now say from experience that it’s completely possible to be a successful developer all by yourself yourself. Just keep trying, keep improving your skills, never give up, be willing to learn as you go and most importantly, give it your 110%.

I know, it sounds cliche, but g’damnit, reach for the stars and screw what anyone else thinks.

#16

I say give up, and get a job in insurance.

… if you gave up just then, you have failed the first of many tests in life :slight_smile:

Cas :slight_smile:

#17

Yeah. Okay guys thanks for the many tips. This topic doe’s not need to become a extended topic. :smiley: Thanks so much. Peace!

#18

He may not have as much experience as older people but his emotions are just as valid as anybody elses.

#19

The best advise I can give is to be “true” to yourself. You will know what will make you happy and what will make you feel guilty. The trick is to know what you want to be satisfied. Exceeding this point will usually mean you will feel guilty about one or more aspects. Under achieving this point will mean you will feel less happy.

Remember every decision you have made and will make will be the best decision at the time. There is no room in life for regret. Learn and move on.

#20

I believe Gibbo’s point was he’s 15, he’s not old enough to even have enough experience to judge what is a “waste of life” yet. :wink: