Does anyone else feel the same?

CiECiE Member Posts: 5
edited November -1 in Miscellaneous
I have never finished any project i have started on my mobile development. I have started about 3, but then would get easily discouraged, and then make my self busy with other things that get the job done. If anyone else has felt like that before what are things they have done to get the ball rolling again? It's like writers block for programming or something. Thanks!

Comments

  • SlickZeroSlickZero Houston, TexasMember, Sous Chef Posts: 2,870
    I think most of us go through this. I certainly did when I started. Had 4 different games going, and none near completion. I just focused on the one I thought was the best idea, and stayed with it everyday until it was done. When I would get discouraged, I would watch Cookbook videos, or move on to another aspect of the game that needed attention, and came back to whatever was pissing me off later on, and did that until it was finished.

    If you keep going from game idea to game idea, you'll never finish any of them.
    Warning There was an error rendering this rich post.
  • StormyStudioStormyStudio United KingdomMember Posts: 3,989
    I get distracted so easily...been playing around with GS for around a year and a half, finished a couple of games and a few simple apps... Started about 5 other games and I've got a sketch book full of half planned ideas, name ideas, main menu designs etc etc...

    I really enjoy the initial setting up of a game, but it takes some real dedication to see a game through to the end. I always start questioning, is it any good (Escape Artist... Hmm... looks nice not that much fun)...

    I've got one big game I'm determined to finished slowly...just need the time to sit down and fix some bugs, improve the loading times and continue...

    As for how to get the ball rolling again... try writing up a list of what you need to do to your game to improve it or finish it. Break it down into small jobs, and then even when your not 100% in the mood just do one job off the list, then the next, eventually you'll just click and suddenly love your project again and be eager to do that cool thing you want to do to it. or make that cool graphic you want for the pause screen... etc etc..

    Failing that, go have a cuppa tea or a beer and start a fresh tomorrow on a new exciting project...

    good luck...
  • jb15jb15 Member Posts: 602
    Yeah...it requires discipline.

    Really, though, having tons of ideas is part of development. I'm not sure of anyone that's had 1 great idea, and done it. It's usually more ideas, they pick the best one, and go down the list.

    I'm currently developing my second game. I wasn't sure I'd ever finish my first. Like the energizer bunny, you just have to keep going... :)
  • JeffreyShimaneJeffreyShimane Member Posts: 372
    I do the same thing as Stormy's checklist idea. It's a great way to take small manageable steps and make you feel like you've accomplished something. Also, don't be afraid to step away from GS completely and give yourself a little break. I think taking a break from one project to start on another one isn't really giving yourself a break and you end up with multiple unfinished projects. Give yourself a self-imposed deadline (make it reasonable though). This gives you a target to shoot for (and a light at the end of the tunnel) and will keep you focused on that one project. In the end, you may not be entirely happy with how the game came out, but you'll feel good knowing you stuck to your deadline and accomplished your goal. This experience will help you on your next project and make it that much better.

    - Jeff
  • LumpAppsLumpApps Member Posts: 2,881
    I agree. Think deadline and do a 2x. In your head it's always taking less time.
    So if you think a project or step on your task list takes 2 weeks make it 4.
    And stick to your horses. I started with an app but found it was way out of my league. So i started with a very simple app and building up to more difficult ones. I am on my 3d app since januari and made a Dutch version and a better version of 1 of them. My first finished app is selling best still. Not much but I am happy because it just keeps selling.
    My big project is still under development and I am happy I put it aside because now I see how much faults there were in the first start. It worked but it wasn't very smart the way it worked.

    Good luck, you will get there.

    Lump Apps and My Assets

  • mangaroomangaroo Member Posts: 419
    keep on pushing through the boring stuff - you will be proud that you did as opposed to guilty and ashamed for giving up to _______ :P

    if you go too long without having a peek at your rules, it takes a little while to adjust...the brain sort of learns and mimics the gs game system in my head so i can see what would work what wouldnt and why something isnt working only if ive been messing around with the rules for a while

    i also have a list with headers and sections for the plans for the game and each day i try to set a goal of what needs to be done to strike it off and send it to the bottom (instead of deleting it so i can have a nice big long list of crossed out accomplishments lol)
  • CiECiE Member Posts: 5
    Thanks a lot for all your comments, they really have helped me think about my project and some things I can do to go ahead and move forward with my projects. Any other advise would be great. What do you guys usually do before you start a project? Any outlines or anything else that you do to help you keep on a schedule?
  • EastboundEastbound Member, BASIC Posts: 1,074
    stormystudio said:
    I get distracted so easily...been playing around with GS for around a year and a half, finished a couple of games and a few simple apps... Started about 5 other games and I've got a sketch book full of half planned ideas, name ideas, main menu designs etc etc...

    I really enjoy the initial setting up of a game, but it takes some real dedication to see a game through to the end. I always start questioning, is it any good (Escape Artist... Hmm... looks nice not that much fun)...

    I've got one big game I'm determined to finished slowly...just need the time to sit down and fix some bugs, improve the loading times and continue...

    As for how to get the ball rolling again... try writing up a list of what you need to do to your game to improve it or finish it. Break it down into small jobs, and then even when your not 100% in the mood just do one job off the list, then the next, eventually you'll just click and suddenly love your project again and be eager to do that cool thing you want to do to it. or make that cool graphic you want for the pause screen... etc etc..

    Failing that, go have a cuppa tea or a beer and start a fresh tomorrow on a new exciting project...

    good luck...

    This sums myself up perfectly. Just to add a little, the checklist helps immensely. Also, I've found that if I sit down and plan out what variables I'll need and plan the entire menu system on paper first, I can implement them much more quickly. It really helps to avoid getting bogged down and losing motivation.

    Or if you happen to have any available, ADD medication. Always helpful.
  • StormyStudioStormyStudio United KingdomMember Posts: 3,989
    Yeah if you can discipline your self from jumping straight into gs. Plan out game ideas, rule behaviours on paper first. I remember I did 4 pages of a4 scribbling out how I could get a collectables menu working. It really allows you to slim down the number of rules used, put the needed attributes into gamesalad in a nice order.

    Also name all the rules or groups of rules as you work so you know what does what really quickly when you revisit a section of rules or a project after being away for a few days.

    All this being said I also enjoy playing around with the physics and behaviours in game salad to see what game ideas and mechanics might crop up. A bit more of a free style approach.
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