Hey everyone,

I'm hoping for a little help and a lot of complaining. That may sound odd, but please read on.

As the title states, I'm looking into the problems, complaints, struggles and frustrations of folks in the video game development community. I'm working on a project: finding an innovative solution for issues on the creative side of the tech industry. I've selected game development for a variety of reasons, many personal. In order to line up my ducks, I want to start by getting as many opinions as possible, so I can form a reasonably accurate picture of issue(s) that can be addressed.

The gist is this - in your progression from school to the working world (or just school, if you're still enrolled), what did you encounter that set you back? Surprised you in a negative way? Derailed you? What frustrated you, or made you think 'why is this so difficult... seriously?'. This can include personal projects, working with a partner, trying to get work with a large developer, etc.

I dont want to lead the witness, so to speak, so if I'm being a little vague I do apologize. I'd very much love to hear from all of you on the matter. Replies to this thread, personal messages, angry drive-by shouting... whatever your preferred method of delivery. I've also included a link to a VERY basic and preliminary survey, which shouldn't take more than 10 minutes even if you get type-happy.

Survey: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1x0TMgxaeoLupGYUPF3yHdRRkRPriszCDvc07pNpIBNM/viewform

I've also put this post up on reddit at: https://www.reddit.com/r/gamedev/comments/4fhlu0/investigating_problems_experienced_by_video_game/

In the interest of full disclosure, this project will be undertaken in Sydney, Australia. This doesn't impact the validity of any of your opinions to the eventual outcome. Please do let me know what you think/feel.

Quick edit: if anyone has suggestions for other internet resources I could look into for information/communities that could help, please let me know.

Thanks!

-Curious

For me, though there are lots of very competent developers, its finding co-developer(s) for my hobby projects,

I looked through your Reddit link and I seconded this post; https://www.reddit.com/r/gamedev/comments/4fhlu0/investigating_problems_experienced_by_video_game/d29mghc

Not that I've had exactly the kind of experience by the poster, ... but I've had something distantly similar

Game industry is all about money. Churning that buttery sweat for more profit. What folks at reddit has pointed out.

If you are in the indie zone, then finding the right partners like greyhounder mentioned. Forming a team is difficult, because it takes personality and vision, and your team has to share that. Without it, either you pay, or work solo.

I think one thing that is important is maintaining contact.

I remember being asked to design, animate and illustrate characters for an MMORPG but the person who employed me disappeared for weeks and I started asking myself whether I should continue or move on to other freelance stuff, since I need money to eat.

He finally resurfaced but by the time he came back, I got busy with other stuff and told him I could not continue.

There was another time when I was working as an animator for my browser game and the programmer who worked with me disappeared for months, making me think that he passed away.

as with most surveys, you make a number of assumptions that simply don't hold true.

age stops at 50, and i'm over 50.

you assume everyone is going to school to learn game development or is trying to get a job in the industry. some of us have already learned, and some of us made it on our own, without having to go work for somebody else.

i took aerospace engineering in school, then switched to software engineering when the cold war ended. that education probably left me better equipped to write entertainment simulations than most any gamedev course available today could. all game specific skills were learned via individual study.

your question about future careers makes the same basic incorrect assumptions - IE everyone wants to work for someone else, and they don't as of yet have any job in the field.

"have i ever considered making a game?"

dude! pleeeze! i'm on my 36th or so major title! not everyone's a noob.

"what stopped me?"

nothing! why do you assume no one ever succeeded?

"Are you learning what you thought you'd be learning in your degree?"

yes, but i didn't take game development. if i did, the answer would probably be no, based on what i've heard passes for a "gamedev course".

"Do you feel that what you're learning is adequately preparing you for the working world?"

yes. but as i said, i studied math, engineering, and physics as part of aerospace, plus software engineering, plus individual study of game development.

aerospace and software engineering alone would not prepare you. sad thing is most gamedev courses apparently don't either.

"biggest problem:"

lack of resources to do what i'm capable of.

i already have my own indie gamdev studio, so i'm not looking for work.

i'm just looking for free/cheap resources and ways to work smarter, not harder - so i can do more.