Wednesday, October 7, 2009

One Year and Counting

There was an article printed in Newsweek today about the iPhone goldrush. In it, one particular paragraph caught my eye. It's about how Ethan Nicholas (creator of the independent hit iShoot) is nervous, wondering whether his new game will be a hit or not. To be honest he's got a good shot as being a one-hit wonder on the AppStore. We all do. He was a parttime hobbyist developer, thrown into the limelight of professional game development, expected to produce hits rivaling game industry veterans. On top of that, the media frenzy surrounding this shift in the game industry has probably taken its toll on him. What was probably a very personal, private part of his life has suddenly become a very public, celebrated thing.

Sure, this is good overall, but after living through this myself I can see now why some people seem to *want* to become one-hit-wonders. I never understood why some celebrities run and hide from fans and press; now I do. I never understood why some authors bomb intentionally on their second book; now I do. I never understood why some musicians authors produce a followup that is so arty, progressive, and intentionally unapproachable; now I do.

To be honest I empathize with Ethan. I empathize with the guy a lot. It's hard to get approached by an Apple rep and be told "Why haven't you put out anything new?". To be honest, I've had game ideas that have been upwards of 75% complete, but I've canned them because I felt they weren't a worthy followup to Trism. Every single time I abort a project, I feel like it's a baby I've given up. They'll come up in my thoughts from time to time, and I wonder what it could have been like to finish it, but putting feelings like this aside is one of the many things I've learned to do in the past year. It's been exactly a year since I quit my dayjob, and life is a lot more complicated now in a variety of ways I'd never imagined.

Life could be a lot worse. I don't really need to be releasing a game every month in order to sustain my business. I figure there are already quite a few apps on the AppStore already following this model -- does Apple really need me to create a new Sudoku? I am working on a few things right now with some very talented folks. They're games and apps based around ideas people have never seen before, because frankly that's really the only kind of thing I'm interested in doing with my life at this point. The cultivation of these ideas take time, and I feel like I'm in the unique position of being able to take my time and do things right.

I just want to try to put out unique, quality products that I can be proud of and will be worth your time. When I tell people I trust about my ideas, their eyes light up. That means everything to me! Focusing on this passion, finding my "eye", moving into this new phase in my destiny... it's been difficult with all the attention. I'd be lying if I claimed to have all the answers... but I feel I'm getting there.

It's taken a lot of time and energy to get to the point where I'm able to confidently answer people when my next game's due. I take a minute to look them in the eye and say "Soon" with a smile. I hope Ethan can find this same peace of mind, he deserves it.

26 comments:

Unknown said...

Very nicely written and genuine. Reminded me why I find you a tad bit special. Marcus

Tedd Fox said...

Agreed! Very Well put! ...


...When is you next game coming out? ;-) j/k

shanev said...

Great post. I feel the same way and glad someone was able to put it into words.

Unknown said...

I'm sorry to here things have been that tough for you... Maybe you need a break and can come to Michigan to visit your cousins for a bit...! :)

Cheryl K.

Anonymous said...

Truly a nice blog and thanks a lot. Wish you have a nice day!
welcom to our websites: nshoxsportandEd Hardy.the nike max ltd is really good nike air jordan shoes ,don’t forget buy the puma mens shoes and puma shoes by the internet when you need them . Do you know cheap nike shox is a best cheap nike shoes. another kinds of air jordan is better . For example , cheap adidas shoes is good and nike air max .the nike shox shoes is fitting to running.

edhardyis the world famouse clothing brand famouse for the mens edhardy shirt , mens edhardy jacket ,mens edhardy shirt ,mens edhardy jeans,womens edhardy boots ,women long sleeve shirt,ed hardy accessories ,edhardy clothing,edhardy sunglasses,edhardy womens bags

Anonymous said...

I forgot about those! Maybe they look good w/ the right outfit? I didn't like skinny jeans when I first saw them. lol. Please come visit my site Business Directory Iowa when you got time.

Anonymous said...

I forgot about those! Maybe they look good w/ the right outfit? I didn't like skinny jeans when I first saw them. lol. Please come visit my site Phone Directory Of Kansas when you got time.

Anonymous said...

Hello mate, I want to thank you for this nice blog. Would you mind telling me some secrets for a succesful blog ? Which could attract some visitors than it normally does. Please come visit my site Chicago Business Directory when you got time.

Anonymous said...

What a facinating article. I’m looking for a marketing expert to help with a project, could you help? Please come visit my site Dallas Business Directory Forum Blog Classifieds when you got time.

Anonymous said...

What a facinating article. I’m looking for a marketing expert to help with a project, could you help? Please come visit my site San Jose Business Directory when you got time.

rr8004 said...

Very nice information. Thanks for this. Please come visit my site Business Reviews Of Denver City when you got time.

rr8004 said...

I found your blog on google and read a few of your other posts. I just added you to my Google News Reader. Keep up the good work. Look forward to reading more from you in the future. Please come visit my site Colorado Springs Business Search when you got time.

Anonymous said...

I was thinking of looking up some of them newspaper websites, but am glad I came here instead. Although glad is not quite the right word… let me just say I needed this after the incessant chatter in the media, and am grateful to you for articulating something many of us are feeling - even from distant shores. Please come visit my site Directory Philadelphia City when you got time.

Matt Wesolowski said...

I created a program to help others quit smoking. I think it would make a great iphone ap. Please contact me to discuss the details. Sincerely, Matt Wesolowski -Cell Phone # 469-363-0414. Thank You.

rr8004 said...

. Since I’m new to blogging, these articles are greatly appreciated; very useful and informative blog and every body must visit this blog. Please come visit my site Plano Phone Book when you got time

rr8004 said...

Really great work. Congrats to everyone who are involved with this project. The website layout and graphics are really cool. Please come visit my site Denver Business Services And Classifieds when you got time.

rr8004 said...

Very nice information. Thanks for this. Please come visit my site Milwaukee Business Services And Classifieds when you got time.

rr8004 said...

sorry to ask this here but… I really love your theme, would it happen to be a free one i can download somewhere, or is it a custom theme you had made? Soon i will be launching my own blog, however i’m not great with designs but i do like the style of your site so it would be excellent if i could find (or buy) something with a similar look as my last designer cannot finish my site. Thanks! Please come visit my site Columbus Business Services And Classifieds when you got time.

rr8004 said...

sorry to ask this here but… I really love your theme, would it happen to be a free one i can download somewhere, or is it a custom theme you had made? Soon i will be launching my own blog, however i’m not great with designs but i do like the style of your site so it would be excellent if i could find (or buy) something with a similar look as my last designer cannot finish my site. Thanks! Please come visit my site Ohio OH Phone Directory when you got time.

Unknown said...

ed hardy
ed hardy clothing
ed hardy discount
discount ed hardy
cheap ed hardy
wholesale ed hardy
buy ed hardy
don ed hardy

Ed Hardy Women

Apparel

ed hardy intimates sleepwear
ed hardy women bottoms
ed hardy women denim
ed hardy women dresses
ed hardy women hoodies
ed hardy women knits

Unknown said...

Cheap Christian Louboutin Shoes
cheap air jordan shoes
Ralph Lauren Polo Shirts
Nfl jerseys

Christian Louboutin Sandals
nike air jordan shoes
Polo Shirts
Nhl jerseys

Christian Louboutin Pumps
michael jordan shoes
Mens Polo Shirts
Mlb Jerseys
Classic Short Ugg Paisley Boots
Depths Linen Uggs 1688
Jimmy Choo
Depths Linen Uggs
kids Classic Tall Ugg Boots
Yves saint Laurent
kids Classic Tall Ugg Bootskids Classic Ugg Boots
Ed Hardy
kids Classic Ugg Boots
Metallic Uggs
Balmain Shoes
Metallic Uggs
Mini Ugg Boots
Alexander McQueen
Mini Ugg Boots

Nike shox said...

You built some beneficial details there. I did a look for within the matter and observed most folks will consent with your webpage.Having a look Nike shox. Good things or not you have the final say.

Unknown said...

We hear of the mbt shoes clearance masque no more.Some time elapsed, after the death of our author, before any of his later productions appeared : two small editions of his minor pieces were at length sent to the press in 1640, coach bags outlet and in the subsequent year a wretched reprint of the first folio, and a second volume of the same km-, containing his dramatic pieces from 1612, several masques, and all that could be found of his occasional poetry, coach outlet coupon were published together. Several of the comedies appear to have been taken from the prompter's book, and surreptitiously printed (but not published) during the author's life; how the rest were procured I know not. cheap coach purses Such of his dramas as were revived at the Restoration were printed separately ; and in 1692 the whole of his writings were again collected, and published in one huge folio volume. The demand for his works must have been considerable for those days, since in mbt trainers 1716 the booksellers were encouraged to prepare another edition, which they gave the world in six volumes 8ro. This publication was merely a reprint of the old copy, and with this, defective as it was, the town was content till the year 1756, cheap coach bags when a more complete edition, in seven volumes, 8vo, was published by the Rev. Peter Whalley, LL. B.Mr. Whalley had received an academical education, and he was competent, in some measure, to the undertaking. He did little, however, for the poet ; the form of five finger shoes the old editions was rigidly observed, and though a few notes were subjoined, they were seldom of material import, and never explanatory of the author's general views, though they occasionally touched on his language. It is not a little remarkable that this gentleman, who was master of the Grammar School 5 finger shoes of Christ's Hospital, and must naturally have been somewhat conTenant with the ancient writers, should not have ventured on one remark of a literary nature, every thing of this kind, which occurs in his edition, being, coach outlet store online as I discovered with some surprise, taken from Upton and others.Whether Whalley was diffident of himself, or the gentlemen volunteered their assistance, I have no means of knowing ; but he availed himself occasionally of the aid coach purses outlet of Sympson and Scward, (the editors of Beaumont and Fletcher,) who led him astray, and where he would have been simply wrong, if left to himself, rendered him absurd. In one pleasant way of making notes, and swelling the bulk of the book, they all agreed.

Unknown said...

Buy fashion jewelry wholesale from China? We strongly recommend you to check fashion jewelry wholesale online shop, where you can buy crystal jewelry wholesale, cubic zirconia jewelry wholesale, cz jewelry wholesale, pearl jewelry wholesale, All of this jewelry are in top quality.
As well as they supply stainless steel jewelry wholesale, fashion jewelry wholesale, silver jewelry wholesale, costume jewelry wholesale, jewelry wholesale from china. Welcome to inquiry. fashion jewelry
fashion jewelry wholesale
wholesale fashion jewelry
china jewelry wholesale
china fashion jewelry
jewelry wholesale china
fashion jewelry china



http://www.wonderful-jewelry.com
http://www.86fashionjewelry.com

Unknown said...

fashion jewelry wholesale
wholesale fashion jewelry
china jewelry wholesale
china fashion jewelry
jewelry wholesale china
fashion jewelry china
fashion jewelry wholesale
crystal jewelry wholesale
cubic zirconia jewelry wholesale
cz jewelry wholesale
pearl jewelry wholesale

MickoZ said...

Steve, Nintendo also had a lot of games idea, they even released some of their ideas and recycled them "a better way" years after.

Duck Hunt was a 1970's product (http://www.japan-games.com/Database/images/Nintendo/TV-Game/Duckhunt/index.htm).

NDS is pretty similar to Game&Watch with its two screens.

PowerGlove and the Wii controller, not the same, but similar idea in the end (I was gonna write "in the hand" which won't have been that false).

Who know, maybe some of your dropped ideas, will be your future "[one-]hit[-wonder]". ;-)