"You've only ever failed when you give up..." - Sean Connery

When people get into the games industry, there's a lot of talk about "tools" and "programs" - but very little about the mind that brings those things to life. It's the most overlooked part of any creative endeavour, yet it's the most important! Let's not forget that games are a "creative" endeavour. The God-forsaken scientists that rule it would have you believe otherwise, but it is. Approaching it with the right attitude, then, is just as important as coming equipped with the skills. With that in mind, this article offers an invaluable insight into getting the job done...

Simply The Best
"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step..." - Chinese proverb
It's absolutely essential that you start small. The Chinese philosophy, "a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step", is especially true of the games industry! Unlike music and movies, making games is a strange combination of art and science. You have to learn the latter before you even get a chance to taste the former. It's like learning a foreign language, and then having to write a novel in that language! Understandably, that's a daunting prospect for most people. Only because they have unrealistic expectations though. I've seen hundreds of wannabe game developers fall by the wayside, simply because they wanted Metal Gear Solid to be the first game they ever made?! Anything less was beneath them, and they're still paying for their arrogance. Whether you like it or not, you'll have to make hundreds of bad games before you make anything remotely impressive. I started out with text games, then dabbled in 2D games for years before even considering a jump to 3D. Those that attempt to take shortcuts invariably stumble - at the first hurdle more often than not...

Keep The Faith
"A path with no obstacles doesn't lead anywhere..." - Warrior Wisdom
Enduring that journey is perhaps the toughest challenge you will face. Ideally, you won't have to force it though. Personally, I was happy with everything that I ever made - because I had absolutely no expectations! I wasn't aiming for anything, nor was I expecting anything. Each game was just a fun, surprising experiment. The very fact that you're reading this suggests that's not true for you, but you'd be wise to cultivate that mindset. Take pleasure in each tiny development - whether it's technical or graphical. As long as you see an improvement between your latest work and your last work, surely you're heading somewhere? If so, then it's only a matter of time. Treat each project as a stepping stone towards better ones. I still do that to this day - years after people assumed they'd seen the best from me. The beauty of this business is that you never reach that elusive goal! Games only get better; they seldom get worse...  

Identity Crisis
"Every man stamps his value on himself. He is made great or small by his own will..." - JCF von Schiller
The above journey is so long that, for a while, you'll have to be your own biggest fan! That may sound egotistical, but it's actually an essential survival method. It's important to take pride in your work (even if you're the only one that does it). I vividly remember that my logo was the first thing I ever made - before even the simplest of games. What I dismissed as a doodle at the time was actually a bold mission statement. A vow to achieve great things. The logo's very presence convinced me, for many years, that I was onto something. I pretended to be somebody, and before anybody realised that I wasn't... I was! It's a bizarre self-fulfilling prophecy that comes from confidence and pride. Let there be no doubt that you're responsible for your work. Modesty is an overrated "quality" that allows opportunities to pass you by. Step up to the plate and demand what you want - because nobody else is going to give it to you. In fact, as we'll see later, they're more likely to do the exact opposite...

Know Your Role
"He who seeks applause from without has his happiness in another's keeping..." - Oliver Goldsmith
As important as it is to create an identity, it's equally important not to copy somebody else's. In my case, in particular, it's advisable to be realistic. As surely as I'm the only person to bring you these words, so too am I the only person to acquire the reputation that delivers them to you. I'm arguably the first (and only) solo game developer of this calibre. To attempt to become the second is a somewhat risky endeavour that carries no promises. It's a welcome (and flattering) crusade, but not necessarily one that will have a happy ending. The chances of one man mastering this most sophisticated of art forms is rare in itself. To come out of the other side with something worth talking about is more so. And to then publish the results with any degree of success doesn't bear thinking about! I pray for the day that I have such a counterpart, but I suspect that day will never come. In the meantime, it's important to remember that mainstream games are a more likely (and possibly more satisfying) destination...

Act Your Age
"Your twenties are your mind's puberty, but nobody tells you that..." - Zach Braff
At this juncture, I would also like to stress how much age factors into the learning process. I'm staggered when kids as young as 10 set about following in my footsteps! Remember that I'm 22 years old now - and I was 18 before I even started making games. Under no circumstances should you get stressed out about this pursuit until you're a similar age (or 16 at the least). While it's good to have a curious mind and get the wheels in motion, you can't expect to make much progress. After all, programming is a science far beyond anything you'll encounter at school. And, likewise, game design is a skill that comes with age. Until you've learnt to appreciate what makes all the other art forms so successful, you can't possibly replicate it. My legacy is living proof of that. My fans have essentially seen me "grow up" in public, as each stupid idea and mistake manifested itself on this website. Until you're a fully developed 21 year old, that era is unavoidable - and it should be taken for the learning process that it is. Just relax and concentrate on giving yourself an education in having fun. Only then can you recreate it for others...

Show Me The Money!
"The trouble with being in the rat race is that even if you win, you're still a rat..." - Lily Tomlin
Whatever your ambitions are for this business, it's important to forego the financial aspect - for a while at least. That might sound hypocritical coming from somebody that recently turned professional, but remember that I spent years as an amateur. The most important years, no less. Those when I could concentrate on learning from fun, experimental ideas. Those when people, all over the world, had a chance to buy into my work with the click of a mouse. In their innocence, those years propelled me to where I am today. They gave me a fan base to learn from and rely on. The same cannot be said for developers that immediately seek to publish their efforts. I've seen countless people attempting to market the most dire games (at extortionate prices that dwarf mine, no less!). The result? A developer that never finds an audience - let alone gets to understand it. Some things are more important than money. Until you've discovered what they are, you must sacrifice everything else...

Web Slinger
"The life which is unexamined is not worth living..." - Plato
The time you were hoping to spend making money should first be spent building a fan base. A website is the most obvious (and effective) way to start. In addition to being the home of your latest games, it should also be an insight into your methods. Most websites are a little lazy, and do nothing but hype the latest game. Mine, on the other hand, is notoriously personal - and features practically everything else surrounding those games! If you're truly passionate about the games industry, let it show by writing articles about your hopes and dreams. Respect the intelligence of your players, and give them an insight into how and why you're doing certain things. Not only does this give people a better appreciation for your work, but you may find that it also keeps YOUR mind tight! Having to explain yourself is quite a therapeutic experience that keeps you on the right track - whether it's with your latest project or your attitude in general. Above all else, such a website gives you a stronger presence in the industry. If a few game downloads were all you could find at this site, you wouldn't be here right now...

Man Of The Moment
"Faced with crisis, the man of character falls back on himself..." - Charles de Gaulle
Speaking of diversifying, in my experience it's also a good idea to become a well-rounded human being. At the risk of stating the obvious, this is where game developers throughout the ages have failed themselves. The industry was built by scientists, and continues to be ruled by scientists - people whose sole interests are academic. There's a lot to gain by resisting that trend. Much of my success has come from studying the outside world. My understanding of the media, for instance, has resulted in publicity from all kinds of magazines - whether it's business, lifestyle, health, music, or newspapers. Occasionally, one or two game magazines check in too! That sense of awareness has also allowed me to be inspired by others. Whether it's Michael Jackson's latest legal wrangle, or wrestling's grip on popular culture, you can bet that I'm on the case. Many of my peers cripple themselves by remaining ignorant to these trends (so ignorant, in fact, that they don't even realise it!). If you anticipate a wave, you can ride it instead of being washed away...

Fighting Fit
"The best place to find a helping hand is at the end of your arm..." - Swedish proverb
I'd like to add something else to that last point. As surely as you must resist the narrow-minded nature of the games industry, so too must you resist the self-destructive lifestyle. Working on a computer for a living, it's easy to slip into an unhealthy pattern. I have to work out every day just to maintain the physique of a normal person! People tend to assume that fitness is all about some sort of "ego trip", but nothing could be further from the truth. It's about becoming the strongest human being you can possibly be; sharpening the triangle between mind, body, and soul. They say "strong in body, strong in mind" - and I've found that to be true. If you feel comfortable in your own skin, then it stands to reason that it'll reflect positively in your work. Whereas if you're hunched over a computer, feeling and looking like crap, you're making things even harder than they are already! There's no doubt in my mind that my penchant for fitness has given me the energy to work as hard as I do without breaking a sweat. Above all else, it makes you a stronger and more confident individual too (one better able to manipulate this God-forsaken business!). I know health matters are taboo for gamers, and computer users of any kind, but that's exactly why it's so important. If you're the strongest character on the scene then your work will follow suit...

Blistering Ignorance
"No one can make you feel inferior without your consent..." - Eleanor Roosevelt
A lot of people get into the entertainment industry with dreams of playing to adoring fans. However, you may be surprised to find that not everybody is that accommodating! When it comes to creative endeavours, humans are notoriously insecure. For every person that respects you, you can bet there's another that resents you. If you attain so much as a shred of success, then this will be made painfully clear. Your opponents fall into one of 2 categories: the ignorant man and the intimidated man. They're equally dangerous, but must not be confused. The ignorant man isn't particularly bad natured, but he can inflict damage as if he were! He's the journalist that throws your letters in the bin, the friend that rolls his eyes at your dreams, the player that fails to appreciate your hard work. Basically, anybody that doesn't "get it". Whoever they are, and wherever they come from, they can be defeated (rather poetically) by being ignored. The sad truth is that nobody's opinion matters but yours. Does anybody else care about - or even understand - what you're trying to achieve? Why, then, must their views be given credence? If their opinions are shallow, then so too should be the impact of those opinions...

When Bad Meets Evil
"To speak ill of others is a dishonest way of praising ourselves..." - Will Durant
The ignorant man's older brother is a more formidable adversary! Or so it seems, but the truth is that the intimidated man is the weakest of them all. How weak a man must be to be jealous of another! It's the apex of insecurity. In my entire life, Tom Cruise is about the only person that I've ever been jealous of - and that's only because he's better than me at pool! Every other instance of awe has inspired me to learn from or surpass my adversary - not to drag him down, as is so often the case. Only an animal would lash out so instinctively! The solution, then, is to treat your enemies as such. Pity them for the weak, insecure creatures that they are. Would you want to be in their shoes, or think the way they think? Why, then, must you acknowledge their existence? You've heard it said that you must "love your enemies" - and it's surprisingly true. Integrity is the most important thing in life, and those without it are absolutely screwed. They're doomed to crawl through life with a chip on their shoulder. A frown on their face until the day they die. Leave them to it. Having no integrity is their crime, but it's also their punishment...

Sign Language
"I was seldom able to see an opportunity until it ceased to be one..." - Mark Twain
My final point is possibly the most controversial, but also the most important in my experience. It's effective to live your life as if you have a destiny. You don't necessarily have to believe as much, but it's helpful if you do. Atheists can feel free to explain it away as self-fulfilling prophecy or "positive mental attitude". Whatever you feel it is, be sure to reap its benefits. A staggering series of coincidences have led me into this profession - as they have for millions of other creative individuals. My instinctive attempts to create entertainment as a child, my thorough education in games as a teenager, my accidental introduction to the world of programming, and the wrestling that gave me inspiration... it all came together rather neatly. That last point has been particularly significant in recent years. As I said, wrestling landed on my lap - and back into popular culture - at an amazingly opportune time. My success came about by being aware of that series of events, and being prepared to act on it. Similar progress was made by coming across Michael Jackson's career at the perfect time to be able to make a game about it. The love of music that followed, in turn, produced Popscene. All of which expanded my fan base and proved to be the best route forward! This isn't as kooky as it sounds. After all, it's no secret that we're a product of our experiences. The trick is to acknowledge that fact, and read significance into the way your career is going. Ask yourself why you suddenly feel a certain way about certain things, and the chances are that a life-changing experience is round the corner...