I have something to say... Harsh truths and Honesty | Indie Game Dev

This video is completely different from our regular content. I'm going to get really honest about the reality of life as a game dev. I'm going to give you an inside peek into our lives and be really transparent so that you can see what most devs don't show you.

Let's have a real conversation about what it takes to make it in game development. What struggles are happening behind the scenes? What's it like to be a developer? a youtuber?

From lack of motivation, dealing with criticism and sharing your creative works with the world, to living life on camera, slow progress and big fears, we're going to let you in on ALL OF IT!

If you're new to our channel, we're Brandon & Nikki from Sasquatch B Studios. We sold our house to start our game studio, and work full time on building our business and making our game, Veil of Maia.

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#motivation #indiegame #gamedevelopment

[tezwoacz]

Dont do what this man here done.

Game dev is a learning journey, until you know what you are doing and are confident in your skills dont throw your day job(or house) away, doing so will only set you up for failure.

[NicheVeraldi]

I'm sure someone else has told you this, but I'm watching this video 8 months later. Y'all currently have 10.6K subscribers and this video has 28K views. Huge shout out to y'all for sticking with this and channel and with Veil of Maia! I'm wishlisted and I'm hoping for all the best!

[calebdouglass]

Iv been working on my game for more than 2 years and Iv never showed it to anyone. this video is great and you nailed the way I feel every day.

[viktornobunaga]

I have been working in game development for 12 years as a game designer. The coolest game design book I've ever read starts with "your first games are gonna suck and there's no way to change that except make more games". And I felt it in my own skin. I hope you know what you're doing when you bet so much on your first project. Do you really need 15-20 hours of playing time? Even big titles don't always do it. I wish you luck anyway!

[madmeatlog]

Not a game dev or in the space at all, this just popped up in my feed and I am not disappointed. The genuine yet almost stern take was refreshing and amazing to hear. I wish you and your family the most success. I will definitely play your game once it releases as well! Good luck👍

[taylorfontaine]

Another quote that I love that fits the theme of the video is; Every defeat is psychological, except death.

A year and a half after the video: 35k subscribers.

[TheBcoolGuy]

You know, this is stuff I've been dealing with for years now, and I think this video has made me realise that game dev is not my passion and that I don't have the drive to see a project through. I don't want to risk everything for the sake of a game project. I don't wanna spend dozens of hours on game mechanics. I don't find what happens in the games very interesting. And that's okay. I don't have to be a game developer. I just don't know what else I can do that I can actually support myself (and a family) with.

[HE]

Here's what I've done. I got a job as a school bus driver where I work 3 hours in the morning and 3 hours in the evening. So, in between 9:40 am to about 2:40 pm I got 5 hours to work on game development or pretty much anything I want. And then when I finish my bus route (after 3 hours in the evening), I could come home and work on game dev (or whatever I want) for the rest of the night. And thus, I earn good income and get to work on my dream. Well, I explain this in a video on my own channel. But, this is just food for thought with me trying to achieve my dreams while staying afloat too.

[TYNEPUNK]

think about it this way. This single video has outperformed my very best indie dev videos and I have been actively promoting and working 20hr days for 11 years now on this game (the one before 8 years, before that 8 years, and the list goes on, I made Amiga games in 90s etc, I've never once had an indie game dev video do as well as this one Im watching, and its only 4 weeks old.). So in actual fact you are completely trouncing many of the indie veterans :) I am also ex GTA/Rockstar and have been deving games since I was 9. So actually, you're killing it, keep it up.

[esFjord]

I really appreciate the vulnerability. I recently took a bit of a gamble move to try to pivot into the game industry & it definitely helps to know I'm not alone in trying to tackle this crazy dream. Thank you Sasquatch B Studios! 💚

[xanderpixel]

I respect your courage and I really wish your studio will take off! Good Luck !

[nanomantube]

Thanks for this video, it hits home for me. I started game development 3 years ago and have finally released a demo for my game after 2 years of work. All done on on the side while working a full time job and taking care of a family. After my demo was released I expected a least a mild reception and average wishlists, but it's been mostly crickets. I think I have 6 wishlists in 4 weeks. I can't describe how discouraging that is. However, like you said it's important to keep at it. We only have this one life to live and if you really want it, don't quit. No successful person ever made it by giving up, whether gamedev or any other endeavor. I wish you the best on your gamedev studio!

[aztecagames]

Watching this in August 2023 and you have thousands of subscribers and this video has over 20k views. Congratulations! Keep going!

[brendanjrice]

What you are describing is literally everything I feel right now as an aspiring artist and musician. I have very little confidence in myself that I actually am capable of achieving what I’m aiming for and I can’t even excuse myself for simple things like ignorance or not being perfect immediately. Honestly this video deserves way more attention because it really does highlight the unbelievable and incomprehensible struggles of chasing a dream. Thank you

[Betruet]

Almost at the 1k guys, your are smashing it even if the numbers dont feel right to you. Much love headed your way.

[MiniatureGiantsGameDev]

Game development videos have an evergreen kind of quality to them. I have only made about 18 videos and from those its clear to me which 4-5 just keep on bringing in steady views. I released 1 video this past year (2022) and netted +136 subscribers over the course of the year mainly from all the other videos. So first thing is to keep producing content, and then to limit the time investment in the content production - I really dont think at this stage that 40 hours on one video is anywhere near worth it. i've spent less than that on all my videos combined. Then, people like Thomas Brush it must be said are not (in my opinion) deriving a primary income from selling games. He's super talented and think about it, when you watch any of his videos he ALWAYS has just a few more spots or an extra day or two of discount on his COURSES. How many times have you seen him punt Neversong? Never? Hardly ever? So his business is not games - he likes that - but his business is largely education with a sprinkling of games on the side - still good cash, but there is less competition and way higher value in selling courses to his audience who are people like you and me - game developers. Who is your audience? And how are you getting THEM to Wishlist your game? It's not game devs Im sure. I would definitely consider doing a Kickstarter once you have built your audience more, which I reckon you will succeed in doing over this year. Wishing you both all the very best on this adventure.

[StealthyShiroeanGames]

Dude, this is so relatable. I can't say I'm working on a game to push out for commercial release yet but I'd like to in the near future. But building a YT channel and game dev really is stressful. It's a grind and yeah, it can be pretty discouraging. Especially if you have other people that are wondering what the hell you're doing with your life. But it's as you said, we just need to keep at it and in time, things will get better as long as we're trying to make progress.

And look at your channel now! Over a 1K subs, so you definitely have improved. If you're putting that much work into YT (and it definitely shows in your videos) I can't imagine you not gaining subs. I've been consuming your content for only a little while (think I discovered you last week), but I really appreciate the down-to-earth nature you have. While I watch and like many of the game dev channels you mentioned, I tend to like channels like yours more. Game devs who are still in the trenches trying to figure all this stuff out. It's really inspiring and keeps me motivated to continue in my own work. So, thank you for this video and for talking about uncomfortable truths!

[professorjack]

Instead of selling the house, couldn’t you just rent it out indefinitely forever?

[SaintPaulus]

"It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the banquet house: since this is the end of every man; and the living man will apply good warning to his heart." (Ecclesiastes 7:2)

Subscribed.

[KenWaite]

Wow. I am not a gamer, but I am a serial entrepreneur, and found your story and your mindset and your passion, both inspiring and encouraging in my own pursuits. Thank you and keep going.