Hi All, Been indie dev since 2009. Recently quit and started a dayjob. I'd like to share my story so I wrote it in my blog. Have a read if you read that sort of thing. Link is below: TL;DR Version: I quit Indie. "I Like To Read" Version: http://emir-bytes.blogspot.my/2016/08/the-end-of-solo-indie-life-2016.html Have a nice day.
Valiant Indie Developer I read the whole article, and I must say that you are a survivor, Rocotilos. Despite everything, you still do what you love doing--developing apps. I personally feel that you have so much potential even still, but like you said, it's hard being a solo indie developer, especially with how the race in the AppStore is today. You surely have seen and experienced it all. You're a valiant and admirable developer, and I hope that your new day job suits you. With your skills and experience, it shouldn't be a problem working for one of the big companies...but of course, that'd take away your personal time to develop your own apps. I haven't made any apps yet, but I have done a lot of website work, as I'm running a big campaign via my website; been running it since February. Like you, I work alone and have to maintain and update it constantly...the work involved is tedious and painstaking; just recently, I released a big update for the campaign, which added a few new features to the campaign website. It took me over 40 hours to design, code, debug, and QA test, and another 10 hours preparing for the live release + announcements of the update for several different forums + FaceBook + Twitter. I've been going to bed at 7AM/8AM the next morning during this week due to rigorous coding and testing. It is done, however, and I am relieved....the only thing is, only a handful of people that have joined the campaign actually took notice of those announcements; so far, not a soul has indulged in the new update yet....needless to say, there are only a handful of members. Despite it all, it's what I like to do....I like to create things and give people innovative and fun opportunities to pass the time. Haha, enough about me, I truly wish you the best, and I also hope that your future gets brighter and brighter.
The very best of luck in your future endeavours. Shame it didn't work out for you as an indie. God knows it's a tough market these days, vastly different from the one many of us started on what seems like a lifetime ago Dang if I relied on the AppStore for an income I'd have quit a long time ago. I'm just glad I can keep tootling along making things I want to make. I enjoy doing it to keep my mind occupied. And it's nice when now and again some other people come along for the ride. Sorry, waffling on as usual, bloody morphine. Hope you enjoy your new job.
Sadly that's the reality. I hear stories of people quitting day jobs to do their own games and I don't understand how its possible. Well maybe its possible but how you get to that point is a mystery. For now - keep on trying and put our passion and love into creating things we would either way.
Thanks for taking the time to read my blog! and for the reply and all the nice words. I appreciate it a lot. And good luck to you with your website too.
For me it was reverse. I didn't have a job in the first place. I was actually an Electronics Engineer. But the company tanked.
Just wanted to add my thanks to other people's. Sorry things haven't worked out for you, but congratulations on your successes also.
Thanks for the detailed share of your time as an indie dev. I'm a relatively new indie dev and I appreciate the "full disclosure" to help me adjust my expectations. I'm glad to hear that you've made the best choice for yourself, family & career. Good luck!
Thanks. Any chance you'll try to make your own games in the future or are you considering this a hard stop?
Rocotilos, thanks for sharing man. I walked nearly a same path but probably worse, and if things does not turn upwards, I'll be taking the same steps as you. Game dev is like start-ups, its a game for the well funded (rich). Just Fcuk it
