I need some advice.

[Koopaul]

Hello everyone, I have been away for a while but I came back because I need some advice.

For a few years now, in my own time and privately, I have been trying to make a simple game. Nothing complex but still somewhat substantial. But time and time again, for one reason or another, I was unable to do so. (Mostly for programming reasons.) I concluded it was simply something I could not do on my own. I eventually came into contact with someone who shared my aspirations and we decided to collaborate together. However, it has been a long fruitless struggle due to poor decision making, bad planning, and creative differences. He and I constantly butt heads in almost every aspect of development. From planning, to ideas, to even what engine we should be using. Our design philosophy is very different and I sometimes feel like his priorities are completely backwards. The game we're currently are trying to make is something I was incredibly reluctant to do, as I felt it was something that wouldn't be enjoyable for an audience or something I would want to be a part of. I don't feel like I am any closer to getting to my goals, and if I continue to work with him, I'm not sure if I ever will.

It's gotten to the point where I have, many times, wanted to end our partnership. But I am worried that I won't ever be able to find someone else to collaborate with. In a way I feel trapped. I don't know what to do or where to go from here. So I need some serious advice. Should I continue to collaborate with this person? If so, is there way to keep our development in the right direction? If I should end my partnership, what should I do? What steps should I take to making a game?

Thank you

Paul "Koopaul" Fritz

[Raccoon Sam]

if it doesn't feel good, stop doing it. That's my advice™

But I am worried that I won't ever be able to find someone else to collaborate with

you will absolutely find someone to work with, hell, maybe even here on tVGR. I wouldn't worry about it.
point 1. Dude, you're Koopaul


point 2. I've never done a game but I know for a fact that much like there are countless very fine people working as graphic designers/music composers/whatevers looking anxiously to collaborate on a fun project, there absolutely are programmers looking for the same. If you've got a solid plan and talent on your own side, you're pretty much all set, aside for that missing programmer friend to work with.

It also could be that your plan is stupid and art is bad but I'm confident that isn't the case here because of point #1.


Good luck man, I wish I could help more but I can only spout some motivating words. Maybe join our Discord!

[iyenal]

Unfortunately I don't have time to give you a developed reply, sorry but I just would like to say this:

But I am worried that I won't ever be able to find someone else to collaborate with

you will absolutely find someone to work with, hell, maybe even here on tVGR. I wouldn't worry about it.

Personally, I wouldn't rely on anyone else. If you can't do something, learn it; I think that will bring you less hassle. But I am not sure if that's better globally, just my personal opinion.

And never work on something you don't like, neither work with someone you don't like.
As it is likely to break a day. Especially when you work with someone you don't feel convenient to work with, because even if today it is not a so bad situation, when you will be in a bad one then if there's no close collaboration and communication you will find yourself in a deadlock, and you will regret to not have acted before.

[Koopaul]

Thank you guys. I appreciate it. And I have always known it is unproductive to work with someone I don't get along with, but I wondered if I should just suck it up because many people have had to start out doing things they don't like. But considering it's been an entire year and the project has changed 4 times now, I doubt anything will get done.

there absolutely are programmers looking for the same. If you've got a solid plan and talent on your own side, you're pretty much all set, aside for that missing programmer friend to work with.

It been difficult to find anyone else because programmers are such a vital part of the process they seem to get involved in a project right away. They have possibly the hardest job in game design. Such a valuable member of a team would probably have to be compensated, and I'm beginning to think maybe I should hire someone. Of course I don't know how much it would cost or even how I would go about doing that.

Personally, I wouldn't rely on anyone else. If you can't do something, learn it; I think that will bring you less hassle. But I am not sure if that's better globally, just my personal opinion.

You are absolutely right. This wouldn't even begin to be a problem if I had my own skills. Unfortunately I have taken C++ courses three times and come back failing each time. It's far more complicated than I anticipated. I'll have to really think about whether or not I should try taking another course.

So that's where I am at. Should I pursue another programmer, if so how do you suppose I should go about doing that? Or if I should try my hand again at C++?

[iyenal]

So that's where I am at. Should I pursue another programmer, if so how do you suppose I should go about doing that? Or if I should try my hand again at C++?

Take another course. And if you fail another time, continue to take another course.
It is with perseverance that you will succeed. Plus, more you fail, more you will end up a god in C++ when you will succeed

About the C++ as a type of language, I would advise you to learn another language if it's possible. I know many languages, but I admit that I never understood C++ it is like a mental block, personally even C is much easier.

[Koopaul]

I don't know if I can afford to keep failing. It costs money to take these classes and at the rate I learn I might be adequate by the age of 50. (I'm exaggeratiing) Also I'm pretty sure C++ is the main language Unity uses which is why I tries to learn it. I may be wrong though.

I'm not sure what engines use C. I'll have to look into that. Thank you.

[Koopaul]

I'll be sure to look into that. Even if I learn to code somewhat, I'm still not confident I could make a game on my own. I would like to see if I can find another partner. That's the part that has no easy answer. How do you find people to collaborate with you?

I suppose I could ask around on the Unity forums.