I worked in the industry for many years, almost certainly I’ve worked in a very minor way on some games you’ve heard of. If you’re curious about the reality of game dev or anything about my experience then shoot.

  • mozz@mbin.grits.devOP
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    7
    ·
    5 months ago

    Artful indie games? Yes. I got genuinely emotional when the stag in Hollow Knight was talking about how when this whole task is done he’s gonna leave Hallownest and see if he can find some of his family.

    Most games, no. The industry is changing so it’s not even a reliable money-and-comfortable-life ticket like it used to be. Games specifically always tended to underpaid and overworked compared with the tech industry as a whole. And, with rare exceptions, the “product” you’re working on is gonna be just an engineered dopamine-and-microtransactions machine which is doing more harm than good once it’s let out into the world.

    Ask me if I’m bitter 🥲. I got to work with some really great people at times and I’m still in touch with a few of them, but for the most part you have to get incredibly lucky to find a job in the games industry that’s a worthwhile thing to do with your time.