Staying consistent even when I wanna do other things

Math, prototyping and TikTok progress

Hi pal!

I’m in a phase right now where I’m super intrigued by math and programming. I’m reading a book called ‘Math without numbers’, it’s satisfying to learn new concepts and have them click (did you know there’s something bigger than infinity!? it’s called the continuum). And I have a huge itch to dig my teeth into making a tiny game as a side project. The puzzle aspect of programming and figuring out the game design is so alluring.

This means it’s been hard to get myself to focus heavily on writing. But I still manage to get it done, I set a timer every day and write until I run into a big thought-bump. Usually landing around 20 minutes, sometimes 5. I’ve decided it’s enough as long as I write a few minutes.

I put this list on the wall next to my screen. I fill in a dot every day if I’ve done some writing. So far I only missed one day. It’s a good reminder and fun to see the list fill up.

I wonder what things would be like if I were able to dedicate myself completely to one thing?

At least I manage to stay consistent with this, despite the distracting fascinations. (this marks the 28th newsletter!)

On my mind right now

🪄 Video clip - Early Stick Wizard Prototype

Usually I feel like I need to have everything thought out before I start programming a game idea. That’s definitely good. But this time I just messed around with code in Unity and explored until I found some mechanics that are fun to play with.

I think it helped to put some things into reality so I could start thinking beyond what was previously vague concepts floating in my brain. I think drawing in a sketchbook is like thinking through drawing. Maybe this was the equivalent for game making?

This prototype is starting to become pretty clear in my mind now, looks like it will become a sorting game inspired by Wilmot’s Warehouse. We’ll see what happens!

⛰️ TikTok - Do you remember climbing trees as a kid?

I made some pretty fun Surmount related TikToks this week. A few videos are starting to climb in views. My strategy at the moment is to keep churning them out and until one goes viral. I make about 3 per week.

It’s funny though. I’ve looked at some written breakdowns of why certain TikToks for other games did well and tried to apply that. I usually feel like I’ve managed to follow the same principles, but it just doesn’t seem to work. Maybe I would get a decent grade if this was a school assignment, but in reality that kinda stuff doesn’t matter?

I might start paying to have the videos sponsored, to put them in front of more eyes, but I’m worried that the real issue is the video, not the number of eyes. The video itself won’t be better just because I pay to have more people see it. Tricky.

My hopes is that one day I will figure this out and have some kinda formula. I’m afraid it will just be dumb luck though. Hehe

🔴 Youtube video - How to make your game 2x as fun (in no time)

Whenever I try to make a new game, the trickiest thing in the beginning is to make different choices matter. I love how simply this guy broke it down, add different trade-offs for different actions.

Videos like this make it seem so easy to make games. I don’t think it’s supposed to capture how easy it is to make them, but I think it does a good job at portraying the satisfaction of getting it to click.

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How do you stay (or struggle to stay) consistent?

Thank you for reading! Have a creative week! :- )