Hopefully, as Deity Quest continues to get in the hands of players and they (hopefully) enjoy the game, word of Deity Quest will spread and we'll do a little better. However, as we start to run out of funds, and I calculate what kind of sales we'd need to stay afloat, I can't help but get a little depressed. For a first release, I should be happy for the sales and positive feedback I've already gotten and am still likely to get, but I've also finally realized that even a good number of sales isn't enough to live off of, and that I'll likely never make enough on games to make Fancy Fish Games my full time job (a dream I've had for a while now). Perhaps it would be possible if I made different kinds of games, or simple games like match 3, but I'm not willing to compromise there - if I'm not making what I want, then it's truly a job and I'd be better off working elsewhere where I'd make a lot more for my efforts.
So where does that leave Fancy Fish Games? A part-time job that doesn't bring in much money? A hobby which is subsidized by a full time job? Honestly, I don't know - the only thing I know for certain is that I'm going to finish the projects I've already started - as it'd leave a bad taste if I quit halfway. This means yes, I'm going to finish Havencall and the new space game (Codename: Pioneer). I may even make I Can't Escape: Darkness, even though I've only written a design document for it so far. But all my other great ideas? Especially These Falling Stars which I've been mulling over for years but have never had the resources to really start? Honestly, I don't know. Maybe if I get lucky, or if I save up enough from a full time job, I'll consider doing Fancy Fish Games full time in the future.
As for Havencall, we're planning to release late this year, and are working hard to complete the first world in time to submit it to the late submission deadline of IndieCade. We've been working on Havencall for a while now, and we've both improved a lot - as you can easily see from Natalie's art:
Havencall may be one of our last games, which is pretty sad, but we're going to do it right, not cutting any corners. Even if game development has to take a back seat for me in the future, I want to be able to look back on what I accomplished with pride.
On my side of Havencall, I've been setting up the scenes (the hometown and space time ruins are almost done), and adding in the UI and Dialogue systems. Havencall is definitely more of an artist's game than a programmer's game, but there's still plenty to do - especially with some features like the boss battles. I've also been working on tools that make integrating art and setting up scenes a lot easier - so that will speed up production of the second and third worlds.
Well, we'll see how things turn out - and I doubt I'm going to stop making games, although I may slow down or work on smaller games if I end up with less time for game development. While this is kind of sad - I'm happy with the games I was able to create. If Fancy Fish fails, it's not due to lack of quality, it's just that it's so hard to get noticed and succeed in today's world.
As a side note, I am now considering doing freelance work for game development. While I'm not sure I'll be able to make enough as a freelancer, I'm certainly open to offers if you like my work. And, at the end of the day, I'd prefer working on games than something else, even if the pay is less, as long as it's livable.
You can do it! Doing things the way you want is nearly impossible to survive on... until it is. I've been an artist for years... making music that will probably never fund me enough to live (that's why I even started doing soundtrack work). But when you persevere, things happen. Even if you have to take other jobs to get you through the week / month.
ReplyDeleteMany of my artist friends are in the same boat... doing their thing for 20 years now (they're in their early 30's). But now some of them are actually succeeding. Making enough to live. It just takes a while.
You'll find your own balance and work it out. You'll need to take gigs you don't exactly want or jobs that dangerously cut into your own creative time, but you'll see that and readjust the balance. You will do it and succeed. Just keep at it. It's a VERY long game, making money on your passion. You can do it!
~Dean
Yeah, I'm just starting to see just how long and difficult the path actually is. As I said in the blog, I doubt I'll ever give up game development completely - but it could be a long time before I'm able to make Fancy Fish Game my full time job (if ever). But, as long as it's my dream, I'll keep on trying even if I limited free time - who knows what will happen?
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