How to Handle Hard Times

For the understatement of the century: times are tough right now. With what’s happening in the games industry, in politics, in many of our personal lives, it can feel overwhelmingly difficult to orient ourselves. I’ve been through a lot of tough times, myself, and here’s what helps me get through them.

One of the best things you can do for yourself is to continue to do what you do best. If there’s an artform you’re passionate about, whether it’s traditional "work" or the art of caring for your loved ones and your community, there’s never been a better time to tune out of the world and into your art. You’ll be a happier, better self - and that's the self that we need.

Bonus: if you’re in the business of monetizing your art, that’s a good way to move out of the nightmare of capitalism. Become a master of your craft and build a war chest for yourself and your loved ones. Or, feed your spirit enough with your art to keep going wherever you go to pay the bills.

Exercise. Sorry.

Endorphins, longevity, a healthier body and a clearer mind - you know it’s good for you, you know it’s good for you, so get out there and get moving. Remember that "best version of you?" That version of you exercises.

I like to lift weights. I’m gettin real strong. If you know me well, you already know this, because I will not shut up about it.

Do it.

Stop reading the news. Sorry again.

Unplug, and take care of yourself. There are other people out there with more resources, more time, more energy, who can and will fight on your behalf. If you’re questioning whether or not you have enough to give, it is very possible that you don’t right now. That sucks, but what sucks worse is you burning yourself out and giving up entirely. So, don’t do that.

Take a chill pill.

They’re small steps, but they work. Inch by inch, step by step, it’ll help. Maybe you’ll win that contract or land that deal, maybe you’ll get that promotion or find that job, or maybe you’ll just find the strength to get up and get back to it for another day. But here’s the trick: if you do that every day, before you know it, you’ve done it.

The Story the Numbers Don't Tell

Spotify Wrapped is here!!

I'm posting late because - would you believe it? I was embarrassed. The eagle-eyed among you might notice that these numbers, though admittedly impressive, are smaller than my numbers from last year. But numbers don't tell the whole story.

It's no big secret that it's been a difficult year in video games and that's effected every part of the industry, including the work of freelancers like myself. That could be part of the story, but it isn't the important part.

I've spent the last 2 years reshaping my career on the backend. I've let go of things that weren't serving me, built new systems to support a stronger career, and reshaped my approach to my entire life, in a sense. It's some of the most powerful work a person can endeavor to do and it's _very_ internal. It's not the kind of thing that sounds sexy and fun when you talk about it. It's not the kind of thing that shows up in the numbers. But it's extremely impactful.

So as we watch our numbers, let's not forget the things that really matter. Remember that you're always moving forward, even if the numbers take a lil step backward for a while.

stay frosty,
-💫

Seattle Indies Spotlight

I was featured in the November 2024 update from Seattle Indies! Read the interview below and read more about Seattle Indies at their website.

Star Victoria Power (aka Slide20XX) is a lifelong composer who writes colorful music for colorful games! They've been working professionally for about a decade and their work includes a track in Bloodstained’s new DLC: Dominique’s Curse, the soundtrack for Calico (a game about magical girls running a cat cafe), the anti-racist PSAs put out by Steven Universe, and electro-swing & jazz-hop for the visual novel Penny Larceny: Gig Economy Supervillain !

What inspired you to become an indie developer?

When I was a kid, I spent a lot of my time listening to video game music midi files and reading webcomics made out of video game graphics. Specifically, I listened to a lot of Sonic the Hedgehog midis and read a lot of Sonic the Hedgehog sprite comics. It wasn’t long before I got curious enough to try to make my own (Sonic) sprite comics, which led to me beginning to view the computer as a creative tool and eventually thinking to myself, “Well, I know how to make sprite comics. I wonder if I could make midis. I wonder if I could make.. video game.. midis… I want to make music for video games.”

I played piano and viola at a public fine arts school I attended and started teaching myself to write classical and electronic music. I also spent a fair amount of time making video games with a friend of mine, who I later worked with professionally, and learning about indie games specifically through places like TIGSource and following developers I liked on the brand new website, Twitter.com

What is one important lesson you have learned in your time as an indie developer?

It’s a marathon, not a sprint. I think it can be easy to look around at the state of things, or at a career that isn’t progressing at the rate that you might like it to, and come to the conclusion that whatever dreams or goals you have are impossible to achieve. I grew up in poverty in an unremarkable city in Georgia, so by my estimation, I’ve already done the impossible by getting as far as I have. I didn’t get here by thinking that I couldn’t do it, so that’s the lesson I have to share. As cliche as it sounds, believe in yourself and never give up and you’ll probably get further than you’ve ever imagined.

What is the one piece of advice you would share today with your younger self before you started your career as an indie developer?

I’d probably say to never be afraid to ask for help. I’ve had to figure out a lot of things on my own, so I think that’s led to me to self-reliance before anything else. While there are plenty of benefits to that approach to life, I think I might have had an easier time of things overall had I sought advice and guidance at more of the critical points along my path.

How has the game developer community had an impact on your career?

I think it’s safe to say that I wouldn’t have a career at all if not for the support of the various communities that I’ve been fortunate enough to become a part of. I’ve made lifelong friends, worked with some remarkable people, and made memories that will last me a lifetime. (and I’m not done yet!)

What is something interesting and unexpected that people would be surprised to learn about you?

My favorite ways to enjoy music are quietly in reverence at a concert hall (classical), on a quality pair of headphones (any genre), or as part of an incredibly good DJ set at a nightclub, surrounded by a crowd of people who are dancing and just as enthusiastic as I am (hip-hop, pop).