8-Year Game Lead, Laid Off, Weighs Indie Dev, Course Selling, and a Turn to Self-Media
Introduction
Hello everyone, I am "billion-yuan programmer", a lead programmer with 8 years of experience in the game industry.
Yes, you read that right:
I have graduated from the company.
However, it's not that I received a big severance package, nor that I chose to change jobs.
Rather, the company, under enormous environmental pressure, even though it had introduced AI early on, still couldn't avoid the graduation.
Having been with this company for 10 years, I am still very grateful. They even recommended a new place for me in the end, but I didn't want to work for someone else anymore, so I chose to do something on my own.
Back to the topic, in this issue we'll talk about: What can an 8-year game lead do after graduating from the company, without going to work?
1. Going solo
Some friends might say:
"With your skills, if you don't do it yourself, it's a waste of talent."
Starting a business is indeed a path that can be high-risk and possibly high-reward. Many people leave their companies and think they can make the game of their dreams.
But the process is very painful, because you have to cater to the public and invest much more time, energy, and even money than you would at a job.
I know very well how difficult game companies are, so I didn't choose this path.
2. Self-media
Speaking of self-media, I do have a little say in it; otherwise, you wouldn't be seeing this article (even though after more than 3 years, there are still no results).
The core is to build a personal IP, provide quality content, win the favor of fans and platforms, and eventually achieve self-value through promotions, paid content, and so on.
Although the barrier to entry for self-media is already very low, it's still not easy to make good content, but it's also a track worth trying.
Besides, compared to writing, I would recommend short videos more. That's also the track I've been wanting to break into.
I will also keep going on this self-media path.
3. Making indie games
Indie games have always been a hot topic in the industry. I think there are these advantages:
- Freedom: No need to look forward to finishing endless work orders every day, but you might have endless ideas.
- Passion: Indie games are usually games you want to make yourself, not games required by a planner or producer.
- Hope: Those who make indie games probably hope that an infinite number of people will play their games.
But, making indie games also has high requirements. First, you need to understand every link from production to launch to promotion, including art, programming, planning, operations, etc. It's very difficult.
However, with the help of AI, making games has become relatively easier. I see more and more people launching their own games through AI.
I am no exception. Recently, I have released many small games and also dipped into game buying and promotion (game user acquisition). Although there have been gains, I've also paid a lot of tuition (I hope some experts will come and guide me, please).
4. Knowledge payment
I have always been making game development tutorials and am often respectfully called "teacher".
Doing knowledge payment, which can also be called selling courses, is actually making a product. You need to have a comprehensive understanding of the market and the target audience to produce valuable and interesting courses, and only then will people pay.
This is also the content I've always wanted to do well, and it's one of my side hustles. Now it might become my main job. After all, the end of a programmer is to sell courses (maybe the end of the universe too).
Friends can contribute more articles. I hope to make more and better game development teaching content.
5. Helping others make games
Games you make yourself might be boring, have no players, or be hard to promote. You have strong skills but nowhere to apply them.
At this point, there are three choices:
- 1. Outsourcing: Help others realize the game in their minds. If you can pull it off, it's better than working a job, with less middlemen.
- 2. Selling code: After a game goes live, operations get too complicated and you can't scale it. It's easier to just throw out the code.
- 3. Providing technical support: Your ability is real only when it can solve problems.
These methods can solve immediate needs, but the ceiling isn't high, since human energy is limited.
I have also been doing relevant work recently. If you have needs, you can click here to learn more.
6. Investing and financial management
Not recommended, unless you don't take my advice.
7. Changing careers
"Reborn: An 8-year game lead selling fried noodles on a busy street."
I wonder if this clickbait is any good?
The above is all the content of "What can an 8-year game lead do after graduating from the company and not going to work?" It's for reference only. If anything is wrong, please point it out.
Conclusion
Graduation is not the end. There are many paths. The most important thing is persistence and execution.
I am "billion-yuan programmer", a lead programmer with 8 years of experience in the game industry. In game development, I hope to help you, and through you, help others.
PS: My online mini-games "Colorful Journey", "Unlock Rings 1000 Levels", "Snake Handheld Classic", "Gravity Maze Ball", "Cat Sticker House" - you can search and try them out.
If you are also interested in game development, feel free to message me privately to communicate, cooperate, and discuss!
Honestly, I want a like and a heart! Please share this article to other friends you think might need it. Thank you!