One of the trickiest parts of game development is something I like to call “tryharding.” This happens when you’re so eager to succeed that you end up stressing yourself out, constantly thinking about working on or promoting your game. Instead of focusing on what you’re truly passionate about, you might feel overworked and stressed, often with little to show for it. You might even find yourself using popular software or creating games in trending genres rather than pursuing what you genuinely want to play.
The problem with tryharding is that you can pour too much time and energy into something that doesn’t pay off, resulting in a game that lacks life and fails to attract interest. Today, I want to share my experience with “Blizzard Blowout 64” and how I overcame my inner tryhard, ultimately achieving great success because of it. So, bundle up, get ready, and let’s get this snowball rolling!
Our story begins on December 1st, 2020, when my game development studio, Fear, hosted its second annual Great Winter Game Jam. This is a fun, non-competitive event where we come together to create winter-themed games. I look forward to this event every year because there’s no pressure to create something extraordinary; it’s all about having fun and being inspired. This year, we decided there would be no required mechanics, just the theme of winter or the holidays. For those who wanted an extra challenge, we introduced an optional mechanic: risk and reward.
Going into this jam, I was excited to see what I could create and to have a unique and enjoyable experience. As some of you may know, I’ve been working on “Dewdrop Dynasty” for the past few months, so this was my first opportunity in a while to work on a side project. Unlike previous side projects that dragged on indefinitely, this one had a deadline: December 21st. With three full weeks of game development ahead, I decided to be a bit ambitious and explore Godot’s 3D capabilities.
In the past, I had used Unreal and Unity, but I found 3D development confusing. However, I was pleasantly surprised by how intuitive and beautiful Godot’s 3D engine was. I started brainstorming mechanics for my winter game and recalled a previous unfinished project called “Bubble Duckies,” which was inspired by “Super Monkey Ball.” The goal was to knock off a bar of soap, and I had always regretted not finishing it. So, I thought, what if I recreated that gameplay but made it winter-themed, perhaps knocking off a present instead?
Filled with excitement, I began working on my game in Godot, trying to recreate everything I had done in Unity. Now, let me clarify what I mean by tryharding. Tryharding isn’t about motivation or determination; it’s about taking shortcuts. You might think that if you create a certain type of game or use specific software, it will become popular and bring you success. A prime example of this is the numerous mobile apps that simply copy games like “Flappy Bird.” These are often cheap attempts to cash in on trends rather than genuine creations inspired by something meaningful.
People appreciate authenticity in games. When someone plays your game, they can sense whether it’s genuine. The scary part about tryharding is that you might not realize you’re doing it until after the fact. My number one tip is to work on games you’re passionate about. Don’t take shortcuts. If there’s something you want to create, invest the time and effort, and people will notice.
A great example is Eric Barone’s journey with “Stardew Valley.” Instead of chasing trends or quick profits, he aimed to recreate a game that held personal significance for him. His authenticity led to tremendous success.
After working on “Blizzard Blowout” for a week or two, I felt fantastic. It was refreshing to work on a project without the pressure to make it something extraordinary. I was simply creating a game I wanted to play, and I had a blast designing the levels. As the project neared completion, I worried that people might not like it or that there would be little interest. My inner tryhard urged me to add trendy features, but deep down, I just wanted to create a retro game reminiscent of my childhood. So, I decided to stick to my vision, regardless of whether others liked it.
As the game jam concluded, I was proud of what I had created. I made a polished 3D game that felt like a delightful winter-themed Nintendo 64 experience. After publishing it on itch.io, I spent time with friends and family, putting the game out of my mind. Little did I know, something amazing was about to happen.
A few days later, I checked my itch.io page and was surprised to see numerous notifications. People were buying my game, and many were creating gameplay videos and speedruns. It was surreal! Despite the challenging difficulty of one level, players seemed to genuinely enjoy it. What touched me most wasn’t the money; it was the organic support that came from simply creating something I loved.
In the past, I had tried making games for profit, but it was challenging and often unsuccessful. To create something I enjoyed and see others appreciate it meant the world to me. For those of you who struggle with authenticity in your games, remember that there are people out there who love what you create. Focus on making something that inspires you and brings you joy. Game development can be tough, and if your primary focus is on money and success, you might find yourself in a difficult situation.
There’s nothing wrong with wanting to make money with your game; that’s a common goal. However, if that’s your aim, ensure you’re doing it authentically and staying true to yourself, as that is ultimately the most important thing.
If you want to play “Blizzard Blowout 64,” there will be a link in the description below. I believe the current world record is around 4 minutes and 30 seconds, so I challenge you to see how fast you can beat it! Please share your times in the comments below.
If you enjoy my channel and want to see more, please subscribe and hit the bell notification for updates on livestreams and new videos, and maybe even some giveaways in the future. Thank you so much for watching this video, and I’ll see you next week for another game development adventure. Peace out!
Take some time to write a reflective journal entry about your own experiences with tryharding in any aspect of your life, not just game development. Consider how it affected your work and personal well-being. Share your insights with a classmate and discuss strategies to maintain authenticity and passion in your projects.
In groups, brainstorm a game concept that aligns with your genuine interests and passions. Focus on creating a unique idea that doesn’t follow current trends. Present your concept to the class and explain how it reflects your authentic interests and avoids the pitfalls of tryharding.
Analyze the development journey of a successful indie game like “Stardew Valley.” Identify key decisions made by the developer that emphasized authenticity over trend-following. Discuss how these decisions contributed to the game’s success and what lessons can be applied to your own projects.
Participate in a mini game jam with your classmates, focusing on creating a game that reflects your personal interests. Set a short deadline to encourage creativity without overthinking. After the jam, reflect on the experience and how it differed from projects where you felt pressured to succeed.
Invite a game developer to speak about their experiences with tryharding and authenticity in the industry. Prepare questions in advance about how they balance passion with commercial success. Reflect on their insights and consider how you can apply them to your own development journey.
Sure! Here’s a sanitized version of the YouTube transcript:
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[Music] One of the most challenging aspects of game development is a phenomenon I like to call “tryharding.” It’s when you’re so eager for success that you drive yourself to distraction, constantly thinking about working on or promoting your game or idea. Instead of focusing on something you’re passionate about, you end up feeling stressed and overworked, often with little to show for it. You might find yourself using popular software or creating games in trending genres rather than pursuing what you truly want to play.
The downside of tryharding is that you can invest too much time and energy into something that ultimately has no payoff, leading to a game that lacks life and fails to attract interest. Today, I want to share my experience with “Blizzard Blowout 64” and how I overcame my inner tryhard, ultimately achieving great success because of it. So, bundle up, get ready, and let’s get this snowball rolling!
Our story begins on December 1st, 2020, when my game development studio, Fear, hosted its second annual Great Winter Game Jam. This is a fun, non-competitive event where we come together to create winter-themed games. I look forward to this event every year because there’s no pressure to create something extraordinary; it’s all about having fun and being inspired. This year, we decided there would be no required mechanics, just the theme of winter or the holidays. For those who wanted an extra challenge, we introduced an optional mechanic: risk and reward.
Going into this jam, I was excited to see what I could create and to have a unique and enjoyable experience. As some of you may know, I’ve been working on “Dewdrop Dynasty” for the past few months, so this was my first opportunity in a while to work on a side project. Unlike previous side projects that dragged on indefinitely, this one had a deadline: December 21st. With three full weeks of game development ahead, I decided to be a bit ambitious and explore Godot’s 3D capabilities.
In the past, I had used Unreal and Unity, but I found 3D development confusing. However, I was pleasantly surprised by how intuitive and beautiful Godot’s 3D engine was. I started brainstorming mechanics for my winter game and recalled a previous unfinished project called “Bubble Duckies,” which was inspired by “Super Monkey Ball.” The goal was to knock off a bar of soap, and I had always regretted not finishing it. So, I thought, what if I recreated that gameplay but made it winter-themed, perhaps knocking off a present instead?
Filled with excitement, I began working on my game in Godot, trying to recreate everything I had done in Unity. Now, let me clarify what I mean by tryharding. Tryharding isn’t about motivation or determination; it’s about taking shortcuts. You might think that if you create a certain type of game or use specific software, it will become popular and bring you success. A prime example of this is the numerous mobile apps that simply copy games like “Flappy Bird.” These are often cheap attempts to cash in on trends rather than genuine creations inspired by something meaningful.
People appreciate authenticity in games. When someone plays your game, they can sense whether it’s genuine. The scary part about tryharding is that you might not realize you’re doing it until after the fact. My number one tip is to work on games you’re passionate about. Don’t take shortcuts. If there’s something you want to create, invest the time and effort, and people will notice.
A great example is Eric Barone’s journey with “Stardew Valley.” Instead of chasing trends or quick profits, he aimed to recreate a game that held personal significance for him. His authenticity led to tremendous success.
After working on “Blizzard Blowout” for a week or two, I felt fantastic. It was refreshing to work on a project without the pressure to make it something extraordinary. I was simply creating a game I wanted to play, and I had a blast designing the levels. As the project neared completion, I worried that people might not like it or that there would be little interest. My inner tryhard urged me to add trendy features, but deep down, I just wanted to create a retro game reminiscent of my childhood. So, I decided to stick to my vision, regardless of whether others liked it.
As the game jam concluded, I was proud of what I had created. I made a polished 3D game that felt like a delightful winter-themed Nintendo 64 experience. After publishing it on itch.io, I spent time with friends and family, putting the game out of my mind. Little did I know, something amazing was about to happen.
A few days later, I checked my itch.io page and was surprised to see numerous notifications. People were buying my game, and many were creating gameplay videos and speedruns. It was surreal! Despite the challenging difficulty of one level, players seemed to genuinely enjoy it. What touched me most wasn’t the money; it was the organic support that came from simply creating something I loved.
In the past, I had tried making games for profit, but it was challenging and often unsuccessful. To create something I enjoyed and see others appreciate it meant the world to me. For those of you who struggle with authenticity in your games, remember that there are people out there who love what you create. Focus on making something that inspires you and brings you joy. Game development can be tough, and if your primary focus is on money and success, you might find yourself in a difficult situation.
There’s nothing wrong with wanting to make money with your game; that’s a common goal. However, if that’s your aim, ensure you’re doing it authentically and staying true to yourself, as that is ultimately the most important thing.
If you want to play “Blizzard Blowout 64,” there will be a link in the description below. I believe the current world record is around 4 minutes and 30 seconds, so I challenge you to see how fast you can beat it! Please share your times in the comments below.
If you enjoy my channel and want to see more, please subscribe and hit the bell notification for updates on livestreams and new videos, and maybe even some giveaways in the future. Thank you so much for watching this video, and I’ll see you next week for another game development adventure. Peace out!
[Music]
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Let me know if you need any further modifications!
Game – A structured form of play, often undertaken for entertainment or fun, and sometimes used as an educational tool, especially in the context of computer programming and design. – The university’s computer science department offers a course on game design, where students learn to create engaging digital experiences.
Development – The process of creating, designing, and programming software or applications, often involving coding, testing, and debugging. – During the software development phase, students collaborated to build a mobile app that helps users track their study habits.
Authenticity – The quality of being genuine or original, often used in the context of ensuring that digital content or software is legitimate and not counterfeit. – Ensuring the authenticity of open-source software is crucial to maintaining security and trust among users.
Software – A set of instructions, data, or programs used to operate computers and execute specific tasks, such as applications, operating systems, and utilities. – The university’s computer lab provides access to a wide range of software tools for students to use in their projects.
Mechanics – The rules and systems that govern the functionality and behavior of a game or software application, often involving algorithms and user interactions. – Understanding the mechanics of a game is essential for developers to create a balanced and enjoyable user experience.
Project – A planned set of tasks or activities undertaken to achieve a specific goal, often involving research, design, and implementation in a university setting. – For their final project, the students developed a web application that helps users learn new languages through interactive exercises.
Trends – General directions in which something is developing or changing, often referring to the latest advancements and innovations in technology and software development. – Keeping up with the latest trends in artificial intelligence can give students a competitive edge in the tech industry.
Creativity – The use of imagination or original ideas to create something, particularly in the context of designing innovative software or digital content. – The hackathon encouraged students to showcase their creativity by developing unique solutions to real-world problems.
Experience – The knowledge or skill acquired by a period of practical involvement in a particular activity, such as coding or software development. – Gaining hands-on experience through internships can significantly enhance a student’s understanding of software engineering.
Passion – A strong enthusiasm or interest in a particular subject or activity, often driving individuals to pursue excellence in fields like computer science and software development. – Her passion for coding led her to participate in numerous programming competitions and workshops.
