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Ask HN: Any solo game developers here?

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Re: Ask HN: Any solo game developers here?

#11

Post by lijogdfljk »

I might be interested, but this group sounds too "serious" for me. Ie i'm serious, but i have a full time job, and i'm obsessive so i'm yakshaving the foundations of my projects. I'm less concerned with the final game, and more concerned with building a platform that helps me efficiently create.

While the game is my goal, i focus on the platform because i feel solo devs have a ton of overhead. I figure if i can optimize my the creative aspects of my work i will have better long term success. Point being, i am interested in this space but not in pushing X game out the door asap. I expect my first/second/third/etc games to be failures, stepping stones. I'm here for the journey. With an eye on burnout.

So i suspect my approach may not be focused enough for your group. As right not i'm working on archival and automation of creative pipelines moreso than games.

Re: Ask HN: Any solo game developers here?

#13

Post by lovehashbrowns »

lijogdfljk wrote: post #11

I might be interested, but this group sounds too "serious" for me. Ie i'm serious, but i have a full time job, and i'm obsessive so i'm yakshaving the foundations of my projects. I'm less concerned with the final game, and more concerned with building a platform that helps me efficiently create. While the game is my goal, i focus on the platform because i feel solo devs have a ton of overhead. I figure if i can optim…

I’m in the same boat! I just started my journey maybe two weeks ago but it’s been rough with a full time job and having just moved. Seems this group would be too “serious” for me as well.

Re: Ask HN: Any solo game developers here?

#14

Post by tomtheelder »

k__ wrote: post #3

Half-OT: Anyone got pointers to game engines for solo devs? Something to get 2D multiplayer games out of the door quickly.

If your priority is shipping it, and it's multiplayer, then Unity 100%. I don't actually really like Unity, but it's definitely battle tested enough to ensure that you can do everything you need with it. GameMaker is a reasonable choice as well, I just wouldn't be as confident with their networking stuff. Would recommend against Godot. In my experience you end up spending more time fighting the engine than developing your game.

Just my personal thoughts though, others will have had different experiences.

Re: Ask HN: Any solo game developers here?

#16

Post by qikInNdOutReply »

k__ wrote: post #3

Half-OT: Anyone got pointers to game engines for solo devs? Something to get 2D multiplayer games out of the door quickly.

For rts games, i recommend the spring-engine. Its kind of date visually, but the core multiplayer tech is rock solid.

There is a fresh fork developed by the team behind https://www.beyondallreason.info/ and they are working on performance improvements. In addition, you get the whole infrastructure developed by that team for free (Server tech, matchmaking, map editors etc.)

Its hyper specialized on RTS though. Dont try to make a jump and run with it. Although they tried: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1D295mRqdE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kNGe4KTdVN4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-FnmQUgR5RQ

Ludum Dares are pretty hard core engine tests, as in can you iterrate, pivot and check wether its fun quickly. Unwieldy beasts do not survive that.

Re: Ask HN: Any solo game developers here?

#19

Post by wccrawford »

lijogdfljk wrote: post #11

I might be interested, but this group sounds too "serious" for me. Ie i'm serious, but i have a full time job, and i'm obsessive so i'm yakshaving the foundations of my projects. I'm less concerned with the final game, and more concerned with building a platform that helps me efficiently create. While the game is my goal, i focus on the platform because i feel solo devs have a ton of overhead. I figure if i can optim…

Same here! I'm "serious" about making a game, but I don't devote enough time to it yet to be considered "serious" by their metrics.

And that probably means I'm not a good fit for the group, but it feels dismissive to tell me that way.

Re: Ask HN: Any solo game developers here?

#20

Post by otachack »

lijogdfljk wrote: post #11

I might be interested, but this group sounds too "serious" for me. Ie i'm serious, but i have a full time job, and i'm obsessive so i'm yakshaving the foundations of my projects. I'm less concerned with the final game, and more concerned with building a platform that helps me efficiently create. While the game is my goal, i focus on the platform because i feel solo devs have a ton of overhead. I figure if i can optim…

I wouldn't look at this as "serious" but more as a light accountability structure. You can only hold yourself accountable for so much, having a team that has your back and a way to vent or rubber duck against can help your project progress. And no one is going to demote you or shame you. If they do, just leave the group!
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