Post on 25-Jul-2015
Finding Greatness Slowly
HelloWorld();
I’m Peter – Indie Game Developer aka
@theFuntastic
HelloWorld();
Finding Greatness Slowly
Cadence is without doubt the most difficult challenge I’ve ever undertaken.
It’s kicked my ass (numerous times), made me doubt myself (repeatedly), and most importantly made me a better person.
Life Before Cadence
- Music industry (5yrs)- Advertising (2.5yrs that felt like 5 yrs)
Life Before Cadence
So I quit to follow my dreams. (and save my
soul)
Glorious Productivity!
THE PLAN:• Read EVERYTHING!• Make ALL THE GAMES! • Post smug pics of early afternoons on the beach!
Glorious Productivity!
Right?
Glorious Productivity!
Right? ...Seriously?
Turns out the box is kinda important
My New Self Awareness
Free time gave me the opportunity to get to know myself better.
My New Self Awareness
• I am an emotional creature.
My New Self Awareness
• I am an emotional creature.• Happiness is important if you’re hoping to be
creatively productive.
My New Self Awareness
• I am an emotional creature.• Happiness is important if you’re hoping to be
creatively productive. • I am a perfectionist.
My New Self Awareness
• I am an emotional creature.• Happiness is important if you’re hoping to be
creatively productive. • I am a perfectionist. And a procrastinator.
My New Self Awareness
• I am an emotional creature.• Happiness is important if you’re hoping to be
creatively productive. • I am a perfectionist. And a procrastinator. And
usually an anxious bundle of stress.
Productivity vs Defences
Productivity, Procrastination and Anxiety are all defence mechanisms protecting you from:
“failure”
A Wild Cadence Appears!
Genesis of Ideas
“I came up with the idea of Cadence by watching Paranormal Activity”
- Pretentious Video Game Developer
Connecting the Dots
Dreams about love > 3D low poly art > the limits of my productivity > PARANORMAL ACTIVITY > a smaller game about science experiments > Focusing on one of those experiments > CADENCE!
Building a game in 48hrs
Game Jams|Hackathons = The missing box (aka
constraints).
I finally have an Idea!
THE PLAN:• Spend 6 months adding levels and polish.
• Get it out there• ??????• Profit.
I finally have an Idea!
Right?
I finally have an Idea!
Right? ...Seriously?
Things take (much) time!
Productivity: The Data
5 years of rescue time stats
Productivity: The Data
My productivity hovers consistently around 70%
That means the average week is only made up of 28Hrs!
Finding Greatness Slowly
Like laying down one thread of tiny silk at a time
Finding Greatness Slowly
Made me less critical of myself
Finding Greatness Slowly
No productivity hack will save you from the influence of your environment.
Finding Greatness Slowly
I realised the reason following your dreams is so difficult because it’s a great way to invite failure out for dinner.
“Failure”
“Failure”
Failure is feedback. - even if you aren’t sure what it means