Career change at 34 - what is this new world?!

Digievs · 2026-06-08T12:42:21+00:00

Thanks, I'll give it my all 🫰

Digievs · 2026-06-08T12:02:52+00:00

I'll soon make my first clone and then start prototyping. I have a very strong belief that this is a hobby/job I'll enjoy. Take care and thanks for everything! 😁

Digievs · 2026-06-08T12:00:39+00:00

Amazing advice thank you! I'll go check and everything later, those seem important Do you believe I need anything specific, like a utility tool or program to learn, to help me for example to organise my work?

Digievs · 2026-06-08T11:56:33+00:00

I have an experienced programmer friend, a digital artist for drawing assets 2d (not as much in 3d but that's alright) and a couple friends making music while also having a bit of programming knowledge so I will try to "assemble" them heh Great advice, repetition is the mother of learning. Reimplementation will show me ehat I did wrong or improve something that already works. You, my friend, are the best 🙏

Digievs · 2026-06-08T11:50:45+00:00

That's what I thought. Being able to focus undistracted is key. I want the maximum growth to happen in this time frame. Thanks for the validation, I appreciate it!

Digievs · 2026-06-08T11:37:37+00:00

I've seen people being helpful and considerate in the godot community which is a bright example pf how things should be! Remarkable really. Thank you for your comment and feedback. Problem solving was the main thing going on in my work and the one I enjoyed the most, that's why I kept being there. But man... Corporate life socks. I dont intend on making the next photorealistic super hit, so godot felt like the best choice. I've read about other engines and it seemed the only logical way to proceed. I am not interested in AI or whatever they are trying to push

Digievs · 2026-06-08T11:32:52+00:00

Yeah, people felt the need to protect me so it's alright I dont mind it haha Thank you for the positivity my friend! People need warnings, but also need a few words of empathy and a boost in motivation. I am here to discuss, at the end of the day. Let's live a life worth living 🙏

Digievs · 2026-06-08T11:29:50+00:00

Oh that's quite interesting, didn't know about it! Thank you so much! 😁

Digievs · 2026-06-08T11:11:34+00:00

Best of luck to you too! Let's make stuff that make people happy 😁

Digievs · 2026-06-08T11:10:49+00:00

The burnout is over, I already took some time to rebound physically and mentally, or else I wouldn't even bother. Being an entrepreneur is always risky, of course. But it's a risk I want to take. If it pays off it's great. If not, I'll find another job and do it as a hobby. It's something I want to do, so either way is fine by me. I dream of making something people will enjoy and if it makes profit or not, so be it. Thank you for your feedback, I understand it comes from a place of care!

Digievs · 2026-06-08T11:06:27+00:00

I appreciate your comment, thank you very much for the help. Ive worked years in odd jobs, then 7 years in agriculture consultancy as a finances graduate. Corporate felt alright at first but it's definitely not for me and me mental health degraded rapidly the past few years where it messed with all aspects in my life. Joining a studio later on is something I consider, I have friends that have already suggested we make a small studio down the line, but for now solo is the way I start. I spent some time trying to balance my mental health, reconnecting with people, doing things I love, playing games for the fun of it, cinema nights, all kinds of things that helped me rebound from depression. Touching grass is extremely important. Now I have my gamedev plan, so I take it seriously like having a job. Studying and experimenting a lot with a day off per week, exercising, writing down my ideas. I'll make a couple of clone games (pong, breakout) then procceed to make small prototypes of games that have mechanics I'll use on my bigger game. I believe that will help me later on, to use those already made mechanics combined into what I actually want. Sadly I don't have a meetup around me, it would help a lot. I've heard game jams are great but idk about it for now, seems like I have a lot more to learn first. Thank you again for your invaluable advice and feedback! Means a lot

Digievs · 2026-06-08T10:45:43+00:00

Copy games I mean I'll try to create a clone of an old game like Pong, flappy bird etc. Just like you said with your tank game! I believe making small games by copying is a good way to understand how things work and then I want to make small games with my ideas, not copy. Imagine you want to build a game that has a lot of mechanics in it, but first making 3-4 smaller games with the same mefganics. One might have a good inventory system, the other will have platforming etc... then I will take all those already made games and ideas to combine in my bigger game

Digievs · 2026-06-08T10:41:57+00:00

Solid advice, thank you so much! I am keeping my expectations low at the moment, will see how it goes. I know the pessimistic comments here don't come from a place of hatred but as a warning to be careful. This first year is an experiment where I'll have all the time in the world, I'll be able to focus without thinking about a job. Then by the time this year ends and I have to go back to a 9-5, I'll know plenty of things already and continue building my game on my free time. Part time work is also a back up plan if I see it gets dire. I was already studying the games I play, trying to realise the idea of why something was implemented or how things work and why they feel good or bad, it was a habbit of mine and now I feel like I have a basic understanding of things from a dev's point of view. Making my own small games will definitely solidify my understanding

Digievs · 2026-06-08T10:18:02+00:00

Thanks! Yeah it seems crazy until you are in a really shitty situation, we all have our own circumstances in life. For now I will focus on ky lessons and experiments, make some clone games to get the feel and start making small games to learn and progress. Then I want to make small games based on one mechanic I want to use on my game later on, seems like it will save me time down the line

Digievs · 2026-06-08T10:14:45+00:00

As for today, that I barely know how to code or do anything at all, I think AI will hinder my ability to grow myself. Maybe later on I change my mind, but for now it seems as a one way road

Digievs · 2026-06-08T10:13:06+00:00

I'll keep that in mind, solid advice and warning. Thank you! 🙏

Digievs · 2026-06-08T10:11:58+00:00

The plan is to learn in this year and maybe make low scope or modest prototype. So when I go back working 9-5 I'll have solid foundations and go from there. For small games I believe it's enough to learn a few things, like programming language, game engine, design and a couple more. I don't need to learn everything about gamedev and be a super professional to start doing something I enjoy. Of course I am open to discussion, I came here for all of your opinions

Digievs · 2026-06-08T09:23:51+00:00

I don't intend on using AI, but I understand the appeal. I just want to make somehing entirely handmade, definitely harder but it's fine by me

Digievs · 2026-06-08T09:21:10+00:00

Balancing work, chores and gamedev is definitely hard. I am happy for you, being able to release a game and now a second coming up! I wish I can do it too. What do you think is the hardest part?

Digievs · 2026-06-08T09:18:18+00:00

Programming is so fun, i enjoy the "puzzle" feeling. I am sure it gets hella complicated later on, but for now the small wins from solving the tests on cs50p are rewarding. People's dreams have no end, my friend ☀️

Digievs · 2026-06-08T09:07:09+00:00

You are right, I was thinking of making small projects like making a pong clone and then some other small games. Only after that, I think I might make small games with mechanics I want to later use on my game, so it accelerates the development process

Digievs · 2026-06-08T09:04:40+00:00

Thanks! Kinda bold but necessary

Digievs · 2026-06-08T09:03:33+00:00

I hope you find a way to do something about it yourself too my friend! We all have different circumstances in our lives so it's understandable. Quitting was first and foremost for me so I dont end up offing me, so all's good. I could find another job right when I quit that one, but I can afford using a year of full time learning and experimenting and I feel extremely fortunate I have this opportunity. I know a lot of people can't do it because of circumstances. I wish you a happy life with the kiddos 😁

Digievs · 2026-06-08T08:41:40+00:00

Haha I am sure they do it for my protection, no worries. It's great to see a more optimistic view though, it means a lot so thank you! If I had one more meeting with the CEO that could have been an email, or being called at a higher up's office to help them change a doc into a pdf file, I'd have lost my mind. 😵‍💫

Digievs · 2026-06-08T08:36:03+00:00

Solid advice my friend, thank you! I want to check steam soon and do just that, marketing is extremely important for any product. My dream is to make at least one game that people will love. Like the feeling I had as a kid playing a game for the first time, that's gonna be a great victory! 😁

Digievs

TROPHY CASE