So, Where Do I Fit In?

[TheReboot]

"So... where do I fit in?"​

     This is a question that I often find myself coming back to, especially when browsing these forums. I'm not sure where to go anymore, or even what to really do. I'm not a particularly talented dev. I have little to no artistic ability, my dialogue is positively dreadful, and I often lack the passion and drive needed to take my own games to the next step. My eventing skills are adequate at best, I have no real want to learn scripting.

     But, I love that spark of inspiration I get for a game. Worlds unfolding before me, sometimes a bit too slowly for my liking, just waiting to be seen. I have 'ideas' for games, but not the confidence or ability to see it through. And, sadly, I've heard that everyone is/can be an 'ideas man'. So, I'm lost guys. What is there for me to do here? Where do I fit in?

Spoiler

Also, enjoy some tunes

 

[mlogan]

If you have a desire to game dev, just keep at it. Really. I get it.

When I first started I looked around and felt the same as you. I had no art background, no knowledge of the maker, no scripting knowledge.

But, I wanted to do it. So I kept trying. I wanted to know how to implement scripts, so I started studying Ruby. I wanted to be able to have unique sprites. So i started recoloring them. Then frankening them. Now I can make them on my own. Switches used to confuse me. Now I can make unique puzzles.

I don't mean that to sound like I'm bragging. I'm still worlds behind many here. But if I'd continued to sit and compare myself to everyone else, I would have thrown in the towel. And when I compare myself to the me I was, I'm pretty darn proud of what I've accomplished. But I know I still have a long way to go to get to where I want to be.

Start with a really small game. Seriously, like 10 minutes. Give yourself a goal - whether it's to create a sprite for that 10-minute game or to implement a complicated script or create an evented puzzle. But just do it - it's the only way you're going to learn.

And you know what, everyone may have ideas, but not everyone has good ideas.

 

[Galenmereth]

I'll just start off by saying say amen to the above from mlogan I'll add something of my own too:

Talent and all that fancy stuff? It's the result of just keeping at it. Just finding those things you love to do and taking them further, pushing onwards. Sometimes you leave things behind and move on to new horizons, but you've got more knowledge now, opening new doors of inspiration and insight. If your passion is ideas but not the execution of the nitty gritty details, perhaps your calling is that of a team lead or director? Keep doing what you love doing, and you'll be in the right place for you before you realize it happened

 

[TheReboot]

@mlogan & galenmereth

Well, I've sort of done something similar to that already, quite a while ago infact. It wasn't a game but, I was proud of it.

But, after that...nothing really happened. I tried doing something larger, but I never managed to go through with it.

I start projects well enough, picking out scripts to  go with my idea and setting up some early things to get a feel for it, but I always end up..sort of forgetting it exists.

I've been using the Ace on and off for almost 3 years now, just idly bouncing from one idea to the next, always leaving them behind but never doing anything else with them.

 

[The Mighty Palm]

I agree with the above comments. but also it's perfectly alright to not be a game dev. I'm not a developer and never will be. I doubt I'll ever even post one of my games anywhere. But I still sit up all night making them, and coming up with new ideas because it's a fun hobby. So maybe we're just not meant to "fit in". Why should that mean we aren't welcome?

 

[TheReboot]

I agree with the above comments. but also it's perfectly alright to not be a game dev. I'm not a developer and never will be. I doubt I'll ever even post one of my games anywhere. But I still sit up all night making them, and coming up with new ideas because it's a fun hobby. So maybe we're just not meant to "fit in". Why should that mean we aren't welcome?

I've always felt welcomed here, and it's something that made the question that much more important. I want to contribute to the community, to atleast attempt to return the patience and kindness I've recieved since first coming here.

 

[Tai_MT]

I'm an ideas man.  You know what I did with that?  Turned it into being a writer.  I write a lot of stories for potential games and then use the RTP and general knowledge of the engines to try to make that happen.  I also sometimes answer people's questions about the program or do troubleshooting to reproduce problems.

Ain't no fame or glamor in it, but it helps me unwind from the day and is kind of fun.  Also, sometimes I do come up with an idea or two that help out other people in their own projects.

If you got ideas, use 'em to solve problems for other people.  Or, turn them into stories you want to make about games (you can sometimes find people who need someone to write dialogue or story for a game, so you can help in that way too... maybe even get paid if you're lucky).

If you get tired of waiting, just take action yourself.  Jump in the deep end!  Get wet!  Make mistakes!  Nearly drown!  Throw yourself into everything you take a passing interest in with all the passion you possess and you'll quickly find how you fit into the forums.

EDIT:  If nothing else, spend a bit of time in the Game Mechanics Design section and peruse the topics there.  Usually at least one person there wanting feedback on something, or wanting to know how to execute something within certain parameters.  Sometimes, you can even find a fun discussion or two about psychology of human behavior and how it relates to game mechanics... or how you can make some of the negative behavior players exhibit actually beneficial to your own game.  A lot of what is in there is a very interesting read, even if you don't have much to contribute.  But, if you find someone asking for feedback, give some.  It's a great way to get your feet wet and get to know people.

 

[nio kasgami]

first time I arrived here I was a little shy guy who was not sure if I was able to be good enough for this forums and my drawing two years pass was not so good then today ..and my rm skill was not so good

now today :

I improved a lots in drawing and I do commission for people now!

my rm skill improved and I know mostly good stuff

I know the Coding  and can code some stuff like special scene titlescreen ect

and I am somewhat know in the forum I think most of people who are not new in the forum know my Legendary Engrish named "Nioniese" XD

but I think I will never so confident and good in art without this forum because people are so kind and a lots of friends like Mlogan , Amysaurus , shaz or other supported me to continue in drawing, coding and making of games!

but ALSO improving my english!

It sure in begin you can feel lonelly and think you don't belong here but just need to be patient and to try to invest yourself in something you like in the forum!

on  that I hope you will find your speciallisation :3

 

[sabao]

The wonderful thing about repetition is you pick up on what you're good at, what needs work, and you learn a few new tricks along the way. Seeing a game through to completion will not always be the most fun or pleasant experience all the time, but few if anything truly is. If you truly want to get into making games, do it.

Make whatever graphics you can, or work with whatever's on hand. You can worry about quality later, or not at all. There's a ridiculously large library of free graphic assets available for just about anyone to use for their games in here if you're not too picky.

Likewise, there's a myriad of scripts for different kinds of game mechanics you could imagine already in circulation. See what fits with your vision, learn just enough of it to tweak things to your liking. If/when you find yourself in a technical stump, seek help. That's what the community is for. There's plenty of folks here up for helping out, as long as what's asked for is reasonable. If all else fails, scale the vision down. Just keep working.

I speak mostly for sating your desire to create, of course. Doing something for the personal satisfaction of it is simple enough. Beyond that where you create content for an actual audience ought to deserve a little more perseverance. Pick a skill to specialize in. Any skill. Idea guys usually go for writing.

I love what I do and chose to make a career of it. I'm two years into it and found my jack-of-all-trades approach has made me ill-prepared for the job given to me when I started. I was told to pick what exactly I wanted to focus on and hone that skill. It isn't an absolute necessity of course, but excelling in a specific field makes both you and your game much more marketable.

 

[mlogan]

It sounds like you have two different issues going on - one is motivation to finish a project. Which is tough. But I don't think any of us can really help you there. We can advise things like make small goals and work towards those or whatever - but ultimately, it's on you to find that within yourself.

The other issue I'm hearing is that you don't feel like you have anything to contribute. And I get that. Like I said, when I started I had no skills. But offered what I had - encouragement, support, and kindness. I put myself out there to get to know people. As I learned I answered questions - though I still get them wrong sometimes. And I read, oh goodness, I read all kinds of questions - and still do - even if it's not a question I've had. Because I learn that way. And then I can share my knowledge with others.

If you're an ideas man, read through project ideas and game mechanic ideas and story ideas and offer feedback. And keep reading and learning. And keep practicing skills. And eventually, you'll realize, you do have something to contribute.