How are you motivated?

[Prescott]

I cannot, for the life of me, ever seem to get motivated to work on my games. When I do, it's when it's 3AM and I'm in my bed all cozied up, or out at a friend's house or some place like that where I can't work on things. By the time I get to my computer, my drive is gone.

So I'm asking all of you guys how you get motivated. Sometimes looking at awesome RM projects or listening to great music can help me, but it's a rare occurrence. I'd just like to see what other people's ways are and try them out for myself, and maybe we can all try each other's ideas!

 

[Indinera]

I think what works for me is a mix of the sheer enjoyment of creating, and the perspective of releasing a game.

Not all days are equal though, some are better than others obviously. When I feel a surge of inspiration, I can work hour after hour to the point that my body starts aching... and if I put an addicting song in my ears, the effect is even longer-lasting.   

 

[Dark Horseman]

Set a minor goal for the day that can be accomplished in 2-3 hours. Like getting a script to work, maybe make a house or two in a map, finish a dozen or so events, etc. It's like laying a brick for a house: it's small but clearly shows progress, especially if you placed a couple hundred over time.

 

[Fernyfer775]

...the sheer enjoyment of creating, and the perspective of releasing a game.

This x1,000. If you enjoy it, the motivation will come naturally. If you're not enjoying yourself, then it's a good sign that maybe game making just isn't for you.

 

[Sharm]

Or you're depressed.

I have no idea what my motivation is, I know I like doing it but I don't know why and I don't know how to make myself enjoy it when I'm just not feeling it at the moment.  You should probably not worry so much about motivation or muse or whatever, if you sit down and create without worrying about "feeling like it" you'll create more often and it'll get easier to do on command.

 

[Dragnfly]

I use Dark Horseman's suggestion often and not just with game-making. I've been using it for cleaning the house for most of my life.

Another thing that helps a lot is recognizing it as work. You can certainly enjoy work. I've worked many jobs (and currently am) that I really like doing. Making things is a lot like that. Back when I'd expect it to be fun all the time is when I'd not get much done because I'd stall on the un-fun parts. Correcting a tiny placement mistake on several dozen frames of animation? You're darned right I wish I could pawn that drek work off on somebody else. But I can't and my project won't get done if I don't.

Sometimes it IS work, and you just need to push through it to get to the reward, whatever that reward might be for you. For me, it's running my test and it actually working as planned or even sometimes better than planned

 

[Mako Star]

I draw most of my inspiration from Video Games, TV Shows, Movies, AD&D Sessions, and Faith.

I don't think anything inspires me more than a really good sermon, though. There's nothing like finding out something about your own spirituality and wanting to share that with others in a conversation, then getting an amazing idea for a Story.

 

[ThatMaestroGuy]

Motivation, hmm...? Well...

I'm honestly motivated from the work of others. I'm a musician first and a writer second...which both tie in to game-making. To this end, I'm usually tremendously inspired from games I've played in my past. As some may know, Final Fantasy VI is what really pushed me over the edge to even buy RPG Maker in the first place. And hey...sometimes I go on youtube to listen to music from that game and others. It's a key motivator for me. I even listen to such songs while writing! =)

 

[The Mighty Palm]

Pre-Warning. Jesse behaves in ways that many consider abnormal. 

I like improv acting to motivate me. As in I walk around my empty home, shouting things as one character, and then responding as another. Then I become the narrator for a sec, and continue my act. Once I get into character, it kinda inspires itself.

OR if you don't want to be caught one day by your family who will forevermore consider you to be mentally unstable...

Take a long shower. Write a letter to yourself. Go for a walk. Draw something. Play with your pet (if you have one).

Try to be a child again. Because children are the best at having fun.

 

[Miss Nile]

Dark Horseman's is one effective method to get motivated. Setting a minor goal and completing it motivates you to complete bigger goals. Also, planning ahead and having a set path is one important step so you don't get your drive taken away. Like, knowing that tomorrow you'll have to map 3 small maps, the day after that complete events for a cutscene, etc, and not leaving yourself at a blank spot really makes a difference.

One more thing. Working on a small project and finishing it and releasing it helps. Remembering how good it was to release a completed game really carries you on.

 

[watermark]

You remind me of a conversation I had with a head programmer of some company a few years ago. He told me he hates coding. I asked him "Then why are you doing it?" And he just gave me this shrug. I take that to mean: I've got bills to pay.

I think you need to rethink why you are doing this in the first place. Are you doing this for money? To impress someone? As a promise to a friend? As a dare? Is there someone standing behind your back who'll hit you with a sledgehammer if you don't do this?

I never have to ask myself why I am game making. In fact, it's quite the opposite. It's like an addiction for me and better than *** (ok, maybe not all the time.). I start making games and when I look up day has turned to night or night to day and it feels like no time at all. 

So ask yourself, do you love doing this? Just like some people can sing for hours or play basketball or chess or origami and totally love every minute of it. If not, then maybe it's not for you and there are better things for you to spend time on. It's not worth it, imho.

Now, if you do love game making (or at least find it amusing), but on occasion hit a block. Don't worry, it happens to all of us. There are days when I just don't feel like making games or have no ideas at all. In this case, I say. Stop. Then go watch a movie or some good tv show. It always gives me new ideas and helps me re-energize. The other thing which might help is to set a specific time for it, say 8 at night every Thursday. And just sit down and do it. It might help. But in the long term, inner passion is necessary.

 

[Julien Brightside]

I recall listening to downloaded RPGmusic is helpful.

 

[Centipede]

Maybe there's something else on your mind? Something you want more than making a computer game?

If you're not in the mood, don't force yourself.

Try some meditation to clear your mind. You could also try meditating on something related to your game to help you get in the mindset.

When you get ideas, quickly write them down in a special notebook. Not only do you not have to worry about forgetting them,

if they're bugging you over and over again, recording them on paper will get them out of your system.

 

[Makio-Kuta]

Rule of thumb - You'll almost always feel the MOST motivated when you can't actually do what you're motivated to do lol

Anyway, for myself it's making lists. Crossing things off my list feels good and that sense of accomplishment motivates me to cross MORE things off my list. Any day off from work I will have a list of what I want to accomplish that day.

I also use food to motivate me. "You cannot eat lunch until this image is finished!" I do not recommend this method haha

People mentioned music; I go on 8tracks and put on study mixes to keep me focused (or sometimes loud music with angry ladies singing idk depends on the mood) I don't find that's the key for motivation for me, but it is a strong source of focus.

I work best on projects that have a deadline, so deadlines are another motivator for me.

 

[nio kasgami]

Hellow here the guy who have I guess a big lack of motivation....or more I am a freaking lazy guy haha

generally I often feel super motivate but when I touch my pen tablet...bleh no more motivate and mostly I can throw my projects because I don't feel motivate anymore

(ask to makio or other member like shaz or sharm)

I am the type to get demotivate superrr fast

my motivation is from the fact I draw for people this person will espect to see the draw or such so this motivate me. 

I know this a bad habbit but I don't overdo

but generally I love when someone is here for say is opinion on my draw 

this why recently my motivation for my manga just don't low simply becayse the makio-kuta here helped me to developpe the story and such she don't really doing the project but she support me and maybe I spam here a little to much with my good mood XD (sorry makio ;^; )

having a goal or someone you want to show the work is a good way for motivation but don't force the hand of the guy or this gonna not make it enjoy your progress!

 

[Wavelength]

When I have an idea, I think through how I'm going to accomplish it.  I really think it through and work hard to remember it.  And then when I have time to get to my computer and work on it, I feel determined to see if that approach will work, so at that point it's not hard to motivate myself to start implementing everything.

 

[Dragnfly]

Any time an idea pops in my head I either type it into my phone or, if I'm in bed and don't feel like typing, I turn on the voice record. If a person has a modern phone then they have very few excuses for forgetting anything... except for their phone.

 

[Rhaeami]

Motivation is hard, for me... not just in work, but in play as well!  I've found that, whether it's playing a game or making a game, I just can't be bothered to do it until I'm actually in the middle of doing it - and then I don't want to stop!  It's like Newton's First Law, but with laziness.  In other words, I just force myself to start on something and let the momentum carry me through, knowing full well that I'll enjoy it once I've gotten into the rhythm of it... even if I still don't believe myself until it happens.