I could really use some help with this...

You work every day, just to stay alive...

I have no good way to introduce this post, so I’ll just get to the point:

I’ve done some thinking over the past few weeks, partially motivated due to me having to take “learn how to get a job” coaching sessions since early June, and I’ve come to the conclusion that I would really like to actually make a living with videogames instead of finding a job elsewhere. However, for that to work, I need help.

I’ve been making my own games for almost eight years now, but my own commercial endeavours never really went anywhere. Partially because of the types of games I want to make, but also because I never really had the resources that you need to actually have a chance of making something that might earn you money. Over the past 18 Months or so, I tried to occasionally apply for jobs I felt I was qualified for, but never got any positive response. I have some ideas why these previous attempts weren’t fruitful, but I’m also very confused that apparently whatever experience I do have with making games, is worth much less than I thought.

This latter part is something that just doesn’t sit right with me: I’ve released two commercial videogames, while having next to no resources. I taught myself all the skills that are needed to make games and I’m a quick and willing learner. l have a good understanding of what it takes to get a game into a finished state.

But obviously there’s something I’m missing. Either I’m not applying for the correct roles that fit my skill set, or maybe my applications are just bad (it’s likely that they were bad, but I think I’ve improved recently?), or maybe there’s something else entirely that I just don’t know.

I know that there are guides on “how to get into the industry” out there, but what I need is not a list that tells me what I have to do in order to get hired. What I need is a mentor. Someone who has enough patience to talk me through some of my issues and helps me in figuring out how I can best go on from here.

I feel slightly silly about just shouting this into the void. But maybe you’re the kind of person who thinks they can help me, or you know a place where I can maybe approach someone who offers these kinds of things to folks like me (queer, neurodivergent, poor and very desperate). And if you do, please let me know!