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Wow thanks again, this is very insightful and reassuring !


Thank you for your empathy too. 

I can't really approach dev as a side project: I don't have a job anymore (luckily my lover agrees to share expenses and supports me but I don't want to be a burden hence hard-working on my game dev skills), and getting a "normal" job is not really possible for me. It impacts my health and my ability to do other things, so if I have a job I can't do game dev anymore. I'd just collapse every time I get back home - and probably be on medical vacation after 2 months. I'm autistic (with "probably a high potential but your IQ is irregular so it doesn't have a meaning to calculate it"), and being at a workplace every day, going there by bus/train (I can't drive I'd be dangerous due to detail-specific attention) is just too exhausting. 

So I suppose my best shot would be to learn quickly and efficiently, maybe find other ways to get some income (like writing - I published a novel at a small editor in my early 20s, or learning arts and trying to sell some assets on Itch, or taking short job contracts (1-2 months) when we really need money), start selling small games with simple mechanics at a low price - even if I just get 30€, then 100€, etc... Maybe I should also see if there are small companies in my town or online that would hire me for short contracts or training. 


I did study narrative structures 10 years ago but it was for literature, and I think it works differently in games because a good narrative must rely on a good gameplay that fits with the theme and story, right ? (I'm French so my English literary skills are limited too.) I also read that narrative games are not so difficult to implement but they don't sell a lot except for well-known devs/writers so I wouldn't rely solely on this aspect, I'd rather integrate strong narratives with another gameplay/game-style identity. I'm still fairly new and experimenting different mechanics so I haven't made any choices about this so far, I do need to experiment, improve my programming, game-design and learn basic visual arts skills. I actually think coming-up with a good plot won't be my main issue. (The one I made for this game  was not very elaborate, I didn't want to focus on it too much).


Thank you again for your very kind support !

Sorry to hear that. But if you have the time to focus on game dev now, keep going and don’t stop! If you’re using Godot, the next Godot Wild Jam is coming up — join it, make something, and keep learning.

And yes, making even a small profit from something you created is incredibly valuable. €30, €100... it doesn’t matter at first. You made something and someone was willing to pay for it. Keep going!

Narrative structure in games isn’t that different from literature. You just have to consider the interactive side of the story and, if the project grows, how the narrative can extend across different media.

Also, you don’t need to master programming, art, and design all at once. Players generally don’t care how the product was made — they care about getting a good experience for their time. Art might be a bit more sensitive in that regard, but in general, if you have tools that give you an advantage and help you make the game, use them. You can always polish or replace things with handmade assets later.

Remember: first make it happen, then make it better.

Feel free to find me on Discord too. Maybe we’ll even collaborate on something someday!

Cheers!

Thank you ! (Again !!!)

Yes, I was planning to join Godot Wild Jam or Cybrpunk Jam in September. Do you think the Godot Wild Jam will be more helpful ?

Alright, I may rely on my strategy to use assets from artists (and buy them if I manage to sell my games a bit) for now then. I think my plan is to do 1 to 3 jams every month to learn more, and if I make a game people really like I'll work a month or so on it to add more contents and polish it, and sell it for like 1-2€ for a start. Then do more jams, and again.

You are the master of key-helpful-short-sentences :D Are you a teacher sometimes ?

Since you offered, I added you on Discord. Feel free to write, be it about jams or other topics.

Have a great day !