Plan for Ted Southard
by Ted Southard · 04/01/2003 (3:59 pm) · 6 comments
Sometimes life looks pretty bleak...
The passing of my mother last week on top of team attrition, financial problems, and the rest of the general problems of life has taken a toll.
Temporarily.
So I'm browsing the forums on some sites(cough-flipcode-cough) and keep coming across these posts by people who are supposed to be professionals in the game industry. They keep telling newbies that there's no hope of getting any commercial grade game out if you have no money.
I guess there's nothing to snap me out of a mind-fogging week of problems like someone telling me I can't do what I want. So I sat down and created two more sets of hieroglyphs for my game within about 15 minutes. It usually takes me an hour or so for one, because they have to look consistent. I kinda like these two writing styles myself, maybe I just tried too hard with the others. Hell, if I could belt them out like this all the time I'd start selling them as truetype fonts. But that's not the point...
The point is, I also sat down today and got to work on my heightfields for the game, and worked on it for hours. Even though I'm still depressed, I'm trying to get up and dust myself off. But despite this, there are people out there that are telling others not to bother, that it isn't worth it, that they can't do it without loads of money. What the hell is that about? And hours later, I'm still tweaked about it. I mean, the whole point of anything is that if it's easy it's not worth doing, right? When you fall down, get up and dust yourself off? Take it like a man?
So I made a rant on that forum and one here earlier in the day as a rebuttal, and a person said that the best way to counter their argument was to "prove them wrong".
No problem, I'll do just that...
The passing of my mother last week on top of team attrition, financial problems, and the rest of the general problems of life has taken a toll.
Temporarily.
So I'm browsing the forums on some sites(cough-flipcode-cough) and keep coming across these posts by people who are supposed to be professionals in the game industry. They keep telling newbies that there's no hope of getting any commercial grade game out if you have no money.
I guess there's nothing to snap me out of a mind-fogging week of problems like someone telling me I can't do what I want. So I sat down and created two more sets of hieroglyphs for my game within about 15 minutes. It usually takes me an hour or so for one, because they have to look consistent. I kinda like these two writing styles myself, maybe I just tried too hard with the others. Hell, if I could belt them out like this all the time I'd start selling them as truetype fonts. But that's not the point...
The point is, I also sat down today and got to work on my heightfields for the game, and worked on it for hours. Even though I'm still depressed, I'm trying to get up and dust myself off. But despite this, there are people out there that are telling others not to bother, that it isn't worth it, that they can't do it without loads of money. What the hell is that about? And hours later, I'm still tweaked about it. I mean, the whole point of anything is that if it's easy it's not worth doing, right? When you fall down, get up and dust yourself off? Take it like a man?
So I made a rant on that forum and one here earlier in the day as a rebuttal, and a person said that the best way to counter their argument was to "prove them wrong".
No problem, I'll do just that...
About the author
#2
You have my condolences. I don't honestly think there is anything that can stop you from achieving you goals. Some times you need to cut corners to make ends meet, but the project goes on. I think the 'pros' like to make things seem harder than they really are. It makes them look like they pulled through impossible odds and gives them a little ego boost, besides it keeps the future competition away. I think everyday the field becomes a little more mainstream and a little easier to succeed in. Right now there is an entire community of people swapping ideas and working together on common projects right here. I definitely wouldn't give up, the rewards are too great and I don't just mean money. Just completing the project must feel great. Almost everyone likes video games and it would feel great to just say to someone "hey, I made that".
I hope this helps at least a little...
John.
04/01/2003 (6:37 pm)
Ted,You have my condolences. I don't honestly think there is anything that can stop you from achieving you goals. Some times you need to cut corners to make ends meet, but the project goes on. I think the 'pros' like to make things seem harder than they really are. It makes them look like they pulled through impossible odds and gives them a little ego boost, besides it keeps the future competition away. I think everyday the field becomes a little more mainstream and a little easier to succeed in. Right now there is an entire community of people swapping ideas and working together on common projects right here. I definitely wouldn't give up, the rewards are too great and I don't just mean money. Just completing the project must feel great. Almost everyone likes video games and it would feel great to just say to someone "hey, I made that".
I hope this helps at least a little...
John.
#3
Determination, strength of will, and common sense are the defining characteristics of successful project leaders, and you've got unfairly large amounts of all three. Keep doing what you're doing, and things will come together.
Forget the naysayers, the skeptics, and the critics. They don't know your project, they don't know your plans, and they sure as hell don't know you. Do what you love, make your life something you will look back upon fondly when you grow old. Keep fighting - we're behind you 100%.
-Nate
04/02/2003 (12:55 am)
Hang in there, Ted -- we *will* see this thing through to the end.Determination, strength of will, and common sense are the defining characteristics of successful project leaders, and you've got unfairly large amounts of all three. Keep doing what you're doing, and things will come together.
Forget the naysayers, the skeptics, and the critics. They don't know your project, they don't know your plans, and they sure as hell don't know you. Do what you love, make your life something you will look back upon fondly when you grow old. Keep fighting - we're behind you 100%.
-Nate
#4
You have my deepest condoleances and sympathies, really
As for the naysayers, you gotta take some and leave some, and never forget that we all learn by our mistakes, and what doesn't stop you, makes you stronger, neh ?
Take it easy. It's hard to lose a parent, whatever the circumstances.
So do take care of yourself and your loved ones
04/02/2003 (8:54 am)
Hang in there, Ted : I lost my dad nearly a year ago, after being estranged from him for the past six years, and it sure taints your life in a particular color. You have my deepest condoleances and sympathies, really
As for the naysayers, you gotta take some and leave some, and never forget that we all learn by our mistakes, and what doesn't stop you, makes you stronger, neh ?
Take it easy. It's hard to lose a parent, whatever the circumstances.
So do take care of yourself and your loved ones
#5
04/03/2003 (9:26 am)
I just wanted to drop a note to tell everyone thanks and to tell everyone to keep it up with their projects. Like Nate says, we *will* get this done, and there's a few nice little features that will be going into the game as well, so keep your eyes peeled(well, maybe just open, because peeling your eyes kinda hurts, and I don't want to be held liable for someone doing that to themselves)...
#6
04/04/2003 (3:40 pm)
I feel for you, Ted. Haven't had the unique hell of a loved one passing away while in the middle of a game project, but I know how badly personal catastrophes can disrupt the flow of a project. Good on you for keeping on. And to hell with any pompous corporate-paid ass who says an indie can't turn out a viable game. :)
Torque Owner Shane McLeod
Game on.