3/25/23

 This is going to be a ramble. Deal with it.

So I've been working on this project for like 6 months. I'm quitting my job in November to do the best I can at making it as a game dev. I must  learn as much as possible between now and then in order to be successful. 

This project has been great so far, but I feel like I'm getting ready to move on. On the other hand, I must make sure I give this project it's due and not just move on because it feels good.

What are the goals of this project? That's how I need to make my decision; did I accomplish my goals?

I didn't know what I was doing when I started this. I didn't set realistic goals at all. I didn't really specify WHY even make this game? Just now I looked over all the iterations of my design docs.

A lot of things didn't go according to plan. 

• The team lost interest very quickly besides me (OTHER THAN YOU AUDIOGUY. I APPRECIATE YOU). So I didn't have the backup I assumed I would.
• I massively over-scoped from the start.
• As a result, there was almost zero longevity to any designs or plans.
• I overshot almost every deadline.

Why am I doing this now?

I want to make games. I want to create cool stuff. I want to do this forever. I want to learn. I want to master the field of game development one day. I want to make things that inspire people. I want to make things that generate some kind of feeling in a player. I want to create worlds. I want to use the artistic talent that I know I have. I want to create.

And it would be sweet to do this for a living. So that I can pursue all the above goals without distraction.

So that being said, how does this game help me get there?

• Learning about hosting a game on a page and promotion. 
• Learning about graphics and sound implementation/design. 
• Learning about how to even make a game. 
• Learning what is realistic and what is not. 

There is no upper bound to how much I could learn about each of these. And even if I start a new one, I will still learn lessons.

Here's why I feel like I have to hang around:

• I have not attempted to promote this game.
• I can't say the game is "finished".
• Missing environment graphics.
• Missing a few enemy types.
• Glaring bugs.
• Missing tools for the player (alternate weapons, equipment, etc.)
• Missing sound effects.
• Missing animations.

Let us fucking finish this shit.

I can't waste time. I don't have time to waste. This has to be done. It must be done.

I want to give myself a month. Which was the goal I set not long ago anyway. I really would like to be done before that. 

So how about this? 

• On May 1st, I stop work on this project. It is done. No matter what state it is in.
• These are the tasks I promise myself to finish.
• Promote on Reddit, at least one time.
• Add environment graphics. No more placeholders.
• Sound effects.
• Death
• Wound
• Reload
• Pick up weapon/equipment
• Click button
• Add missing animations.
• Get hit
• Reload
• Pickup (if there is an anim for that)
• Add weapons
• 3 more weapons
• Add equipment
• 3 more equipment pieces
• Add enemy types
• 3 more enemy types
• Fix all bugs.

This is the home stretch. I got this. I have to finish this, I must.