Hi /adv/. I'm going to be finishing up university soon. After this summer I'll have roughly $20,000 sitting in the bank.
Then I have to decide what to do with my life. I know I can get a job in the tech industry, and make decent money. But I don't know if that's what I want.
I want to make video games. I've made a few and have made small amounts of money. I feel like I can be successful at it. I feel lie my next idea is good enough to be something successful, and I have the drive and skills to do it. But it might take a year or two.
My question is, should I ask my family if I can pay rent and live off that $20,000 and try to make my dream come true for a year or two, or should I become an adult and go get a tech industry job and an apartment in the big city and work on the game part time? I'm going to be past my mid twenties after this summer. I don't want to be a bum to my parents, and of course the odds are always against you when you try to be successful in any field of the entertainment business.
Any words of advice, suggestions, comments?
You won't be able to make video games on your own. You won't have all the necessary skills, no matter what your major is.
Even a couple years of professional experience will help your resume when it comes time to transition into games. There are lots of fresh graduates with big dreams and nothing to show for them. Studios don't want to gamble on them. Put in a couple years of tech work, keep your money and start looking into how to make the switch. Build up contacts and connections. Figure out what skills are most in demand. Get ahead of the market.
>>16456034
get a job at bioware, make them great again
pls op
>>16456041
I've already released games on my own. They've all gotten good comments (beyond my expectations) and I actually have people asking when the next one will come out.
The games were much smaller in scope than this one though, this one will require a lot of time and hard work, and money to finance myself making it I guess.
I guess the point of the question is whether to follow your dream or not.
Videogames are complex constructs that can require a wide array of talents, being able to code is not enough.
However, if you are willing to put the time in learning the skills to create graphical and musical assets, it is possible to make a small game on your own in a year or two.
However, you have to realize that your game might be shit and amount to nothing at this point, since you lack experience and know-how. If you have the opportunity to "waste" this time putting it into your passion, I'd advise to take it, it'll be a great experience. Otherwise, focus on your income for now.
>>16456046
>>16456051
I don't want to work for a game studio. If I am to make games, I want to make the games I want to make and I want to make them myself.
If I get a job in the tech industry it will not be working on games.
If you're serious about gaming then your best bet is to go indie while knowing the console-makers are a lot more friendly to indie devs than they used to be.
IF you got hired by a major studio, they'd make you work insanely long hours, treat you like shit, pay you like shit, and have your career hinge on review ratings by big websites to where it could all end the second a bad review comes out.
>>16456070
Thanks for advice and I agree, as posted: >>16456060
>>16456055
I can do code, art, music, and writing. I've released some stuff before has done better than expected as posted here: >>16456052
>>16456052
If you're planning on doing this as a career, you're not going to know everything you need to know. To make something that actually makes enough of a profit to earn you a living, you're going to need people who specialise in different things. You're also going to need business acumen, which you probably don't have, someone to help you market it, a lawyer to help with thinks like copyright and other legal matters etc. $20k is not going to be enough at this point. I'm not saying don't do it, I'm saying that it would probably be a better idea to get a proper job, save up some more capital while working on some smaller projects on the side and then go into your own business where you can afford to hire the people you need
>>16456034
the thing about video games is that they CAN SELL very well independently. unlike movies and such you dont need to work for a big studio.
id say video games might be the one industry to take a risk on, i mean if five nights at freddys can blow up with simple turn and click, what cant?
that being said, id say define the scope of the game first. if the scope is large and you will need more time for it, live with the parents. if not, and it can be done on weekends, go live alone and get a job.
depending on where you live you can even get your own place, do the groundwork of your game for six months to a year, and then start applying for jobs and finish the game in your spare time.
Bump for interest
>>16456034
have a 2days/week job to pay half your rent. Other half by your family. Be nice with them, stay in your town, have 5days/week to work on your real project.
Bonus : take 6 month to travel / backpack, will help you find your priorities.
