Making an indie game is like climbing a mountain

The weather is getting better over here, so like all years, this is the period where we can finally start doing some short trips on the mountains nearby. I always loved trekking and walking in middle of the nature in general. While I was in one of those trips I was thinking that in some way, doing indie games is like climbing up a mountain.

When I started working on Cursed Lands, my idea was for it to be a small game ™ – you can laugh obviously – however as time passed, new ideas came to mind and every time it was like “would be a pity to not do this” and “this character should definitely have a scene showing her weaker side” and so on. The result is what you can actually play here: there’s even a free demo! One of the few indies still doing them!

While it might not be necessarily true for all games, in particular small games (for real, not like my 300,000 words / 50h+ long small games!) the process of making a game is really like climbing a mountain.

Whenever I start a new RPG, for example right now I’m working on Planet Stronghold 2, I am super enthusiast. Defining the characters, setting, the general plot, thinking about plot twists, and on the gameplay side the various classes, skills, combat system, items, weapon types, etc etc. It’s great, no doubts.

Then, the climbing starts. And slowly but steadly the initial enthusiasm fades away. It’s normal, happens to everyone. I’ve never seen an indie say “it was great working on this game from first to last day”. If someone says this, he/she is lying! 😉

As time passes, the climbing becomes harder, people find bugs, give you feedback, maybe not the kind of feedback you want to hear (the game is not fun! you should rebalance all the battles! and so on) until the end is on sight. The top of the mountain, you can see it! It’s there. But… you’re tired, very tired. Because you climbed the mountain until now, and you can’t wait to finish, to reach the top and then begin going back downhill.

This is the hardest part. This is where you should stand a few minutes on the top of the mountain and wait, looking around you. Look at the path you did to reach the mountain, think back at the experience. Did you do what you wanted to do? Is the game… yes being fun is important, but even more: it’s the kind of game you wanted to make? Is there still something you could do to improve things, without stumbling on your way down the mountain (spending too much time/money?)

The downhill is when the game is released. For many people it’s a nerve-whacking process, and I’m no exception. It’s when you know if all the efforts you put in climbing up the mountain were worth it or not. Though, in the (rare?) cases where I actually manage do finish a good game, it’s really nice to hear the customer’s feedback, the compliments, and the revenues, knowing that yes, you can still afford another trip. Yes this wasn’t the last one!

If you like something an indie made, spend 2 minutes to let him/her know. Send a short email, post on their social media, write one of those infamous reviews on Steam, spread the word, do what you want, but let them know, because it will make climbing the next mountain easier.

12 thoughts on “Making an indie game is like climbing a mountain

  1. Missy

    I support both you and your work. I have and have loved your games for a long time and I own almost all of them. I kind of suck at feelings sharing so I’m going to just say thank you.

    Reply
  2. Franka

    You will always be fondly remembered for Planet Stronghold: Colonial Defense! Best mountain ever!

    Oh, and probably also for some other almost as good mountains…

    (I’m allowed to jest, I suck at feelings.)

    Reply
    1. admin Post author

      Of course, PSCD was the best of all! 😉 Maybe one day I’ll finally find the time to make another card game…

      Reply
  3. Hannah

    I am a hardcore fan of your work. I think the time and effort you put in is amazing and it really shows in the finished products. Characters have depth, the mechanics inserted were thoughtful and you destroyed that awful trope of “say everything a character wants to hear and they will love you” which I think is the best part of all.

    Thank you for the work you do. I got Cursed Lands as a birthday present very recently and I couldn’t be more pleased with the result. I’ve been playing it every free moment I get. I hope that the mountain-climbing never ceases.

    Reply
  4. Selenic

    Thank you so much for each mountain you have climbed 🙂 Ever since trying out Loren the Amazon Princess and falling in love with those characters I’ve been a fan of your games.(Draco is my favourite, he’s so adorable! Broody Mesphit is a close second, you can’t help but want to make him happy ^_^) Especially since I prefer to play BxB romances, and you offer plenty of those 😉 LtAP had so much depth in the world and the characters, and I also loved the RPG elements that make the game more than just a visual novel, if I so wish.

    The other games I have tried (Planet Stronghold and Seasons of the Wolf) have been really interesting too, though sadly I haven’t had the time to finish them yet. I really need to get Planet Stronghold: Colonial Defense as well, the card game part of it looks intriguing! I’m also really looking forward to trying out Cursed Lands, and Love Bites, which I’ll be buying as soon as I can! 🙂

    I feel sorry that I’m currently unable to support your work on Patreon, but I’ll keep buying your games whenever possible, and letting people know how much I love them. Please continue challenging those mountains, and delivering more wonderful games, ???! ^_^

    Good luck with everything in the future!

    Reply
    1. admin Post author

      Thanks 🙂
      And don’t worry buying the games and spreading the word is already a big help!

      Reply
  5. qorl

    Thanks for doing what you do. I especially appreciate how you include varied romances in your games, I might only be interested in yuri, but I do like that your games have something for everyone. So I hope you’ll continue climbing your developer mountain in the future.

    Reply
    1. admin Post author

      Thanks 🙂 I like yuri most of all too, but whenever I can I try to make everyone happy.

      Reply
  6. orkney

    I really enjoyed Loren. That was my first exposure to your work. Since then, I check back every few months to see what you are up too. I’ve tried some of your other games. Including the Stronghold series, but something about the Loren setting resonates more with me. I’ve been excited about Cursed Lands for a while. I was surprised and delighted to find it release last week. Picked it up and have been enjoying it immensely.

    Reply
    1. admin Post author

      Cool 🙂 If you liked it and have time, leaving a Steam review is a big help. Thanks

      Reply

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