So i've been looking around the site and ive seen a lot of people boasting huge game ideas and super massive projects, but i've not really seen anything small or simplistic. most peoples big projects get abandoned as well.. tis a sad thing to see. i vote we all do a few small side projects to kinda keep the place going. there used to be new downloads all the time, some pretty cool ones too. so i guess the point of this post is... we all need to finish some of our big projects, a lot of us have them but i've not seen completion of practically any of them. i know im guilty of the same thing but mines still movin along, slowly but surely. in the mean time we need to release some fun little side games.
[Game design makes my brain feel like its gonna explode.]
yeah small games are fun, i kind of started working on a sideproject for a change of pace because my main one was so large, but then it also became too large to finish quickly :c
I'm not alone when I say I've fallen victim to Big Game Fever time and time again. My "Project" list is nearly as long as my Downloads list, and most of my viable downloads are all small-scale projects. It just happens when it comes to hobbies.
No outside pressure to get things done = lack of motivation to actually complete a project. It's much easier to slowly pick away at something, and not release it (and not releasing anything avoids potential critique, which most people are afraid of for some reason or another).
If you find someone who wants to make money off their work, then you'll see some completion. But then around here people are generally accustomed to downloading games for free, or playing Flash games online, so there's a disconnect between the games people post about (and finish) versus hobbyists who actually finish something.
In my opinion, there's a legitimate reason why people expect to be paid for their effort, but the reality is that few people ever do.
And regarding lack of action on TDC? This is a main reason for EBBC and I to start up the TDC Community Compo:
you know i agree with pretty much all of that lol. i know ive had a lot of little games get way to big and then abandoned. and it seems big projects are always slow moving. i mean even my own, celestia is on its third rebuild and i've finally fixed all the gun spawning glitches and upgraded the movement system. and now its like... whats next on the list? lol. ive got a few side projects i'd like to upload i just haven't had a chance. but yeah id like to see some of these big projects finished, ive seen some cool ideas out there, id hate to see them all unfinished.
[Game design makes my brain feel like its gonna explode.]
I feel that if I were to make a small game, the ending would leave the player feeling unfulfilled... I don't know I can't seem to decrease my scope when I have ideas for things!
I have fallen foul to big game fever many times, especially when trying to make top down GTA clones in TGF1.
Midget Machines is probably the biggest game engine I have ever made that still keeps my interest. Going to the click convention was a great motivator in getting something playable and showable, so I really respect the efforts (i.e. a deadline) from the competition put forward by SMR and EBBC. Without deadlines things tend to get put on the backburner...
I still plan to finish Midget Machines but it is on hiatus until I get more time in my life (writing a PhD thesis, setting up a company amongst other things). I doubt I would sell Midget Machines (a few have asked if I would). I still potter about it with it to wind down when I get time, I find making games kind of therapeutic.
If you think about it life can be bit of a git. When your young you have tons of time but never the skills/knowledge or money to make something good. When your older you have the skills, money and knowledge but not the time!
I know what your talking about.
I am working on a big project,but sadly I dont have time and enough money to finish it .
So I decided to work on a small project,that way I can finish a game faster than a bigger project,and feel like I accomplished something.
Sorry for bad English - This isn't my mother's lang.
Well, I almost feel the thread was made about me. lol All my project ideas have been big ones. I actually have a hard time wrapping my mind around the idea of a small game. 'Wouldn't this be too short?' 'Is this enough content?' 'Is the gameplay too simple?' etc. etc.
So at the end of the day, I couldn't allow myself to make a small game because I feel like I would be short changing the player. As I know I could add more and better content given more time. Which turns the small game into a big one.
But yes, I totally agree that this site needs a steady dose of finished games. Seeing more finished projects, even if they are not your cup of tea, can be good motivation.
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I can't seem to decrease my scope when I have ideas for things!
