So during May I started really putting effort into my FPS Framework, and I got a lot of work done. Now a month ago I got hired into making a Tycoon game. At first it was all good and I was fast. But now I’m experiencing lack of motivation.
As an experiment, yesterday I worked on my FPS framework after nearly a month, and it was totally fine, I got smoother recoil. But whenever I start to work on the tycoon again, my mind is just empty, its black. Why is this happening? How can I deal with it? This is my first official game and I don’t want to drop it.
I’m not sure but I think it’s like the gamer gene in me. Like, I tend to only play skill-based games, like shooters mostly. And a tycoon, well obviously isn’t a shooter nor skill-based.
Take a break. Listen to music. Play with friends in voice chat or text chat! You should not get burned-out just to finish a game, because that is what I am going through.
Also I recommend closing your Portfolio while making a game.
My speed, skills, and thinking is very good. But it’s just mental health that pulls me down the drain. I don’t find programming boring. I enjoyed making the fps framework but the tycoon, not so much. And i also learn C++ and Python so Programming is never boring for me.
Take a break!! You have high expectations and you put a lot of pressure on yourself. It’s completely normal to have a lack of motivation. I am experiencing the same thing right now actually. I’ve been giving myself time to mentally prepare myself to work again and you should do the same thing. You truly deserve a break. You’ve done a lot within the past few weeks and a break could surprisingly be the thing you need. It’s always worked for me.
At first I thought it was ADHD, for a few days I did some research to find out how to prevent it or suppress, I got an answer and it felt good, but then sometime later I started feeling empty again so for a change i went onto the fps framework and I knew what I was doing.
I completely understand why you enjoy one thing and not the other. It could just be that one thing interests you and one thing doesn’t. In my opinion It’s always good to switch up what you’re working on so it’s not repetitive and boring. I’ve honestly been struggling with the same lack of motivation for this tycoon. We are so close to finishing though. We don’t need to rush and a break would be best.
Ya, I’ve never been diagnosed by a doctor but there is a 99% chance that I have ADHD too.
Like I said, music helps me but maybe it would be different for you. Have the code be on half the screen and an fps YouTube be on the other half maybe?
I’ve experienced this before, I think it’s just part of working on something for too long. You might just be burnt out on it, give it a week or so and try and work on it again. If not, try scheduling yourself. If you aren’t the owner of the project ask the owner to give some sort of schedule or come up with ideas that you need to implement. I’ve always found it easier to do something when working for others when they give me more specific instructions on what to script.
I’ve got a friend who just released a time tracker program, and I tend to use it to keep track of when I should focus on what projects. It’s really helped a lot! Maybe alternate between projects at different times of the day. I suggest putting videos about something somewhat game-development related, or game reviews on in the background to help get inspiration/motivation.
I find that opening a blank baseplate and building/scripting whatever you want is useful for clearing your mind and also generating ideas through imagination. Start with a part, and see where you end up
Honestly, just take a break. Pushing yourself too hard is only going to make things worse. Also, make sure you are creating what you want to create. Don’t create a certain game genre just because it’s popular. Just don’t give up, keep trying your best, and know your limitations!
The most important thing when you’re a Developer is enjoying what you’re doing You shouldn’t just pick up jobs because “Oh it’s easy payday” but you should work on it if it’s something you like
I do feel better after working on my fps framework which is complete now. And I’m not going to leave this tycoon. I have a lot of incomplete projects. Although I was a solo dev, right now this team works hard everyday, and I can’t let me gamer gene screw all of them. I’m going to push myself regardless.
What if, for example, NewFissy just happens to hire me as a senior programmer? Am I really let my gamer gene get it in the way? The owner of the game practically know I don’t like tycoon but I’ve already done a lot, how long shall I keep running? One day or another I’m gonna have to face it. I have ALL the skills I need.
