I have something to say... Harsh truths and Honesty | Indie Game Dev

Summary

Brandon Waite, a game developer and YouTuber, shares his journey of creating a video game and building a YouTube channel. He discusses the challenges of receiving feedback, the emotional toll of setbacks, and the importance of persistence. Despite feeling inadequate at times, he encourages viewers to keep working toward their goals, emphasizing that success is only achieved by not quitting. He also expresses a personal plea for support, highlighting the financial struggles his family faces and asking for engagement to help his channel grow.

Takeaways

• 😀 Handling criticism is tough, especially when it's directed at a project you’ve put countless hours into, but it’s crucial for improvement.
• 😀 It's important to separate personal feelings from feedback, remembering that critiques are about the work, not you as a person.
• 😀 Despite setbacks and a lack of immediate results, persistence and consistent effort are key to success in any project.
• 😀 Feeling like an imposter or doubting your abilities is common, but it’s important to push through those feelings and keep working towards your goals.
• 😀 No matter how small your progress may seem, continue pushing forward. You only fail when you quit.
• 😀 Success doesn’t come overnight, and the journey is often filled with moments of frustration and disappointment.
• 😀 As a creator, engaging with your audience and seeking their feedback can help improve your work and keep you motivated.
• 😀 Growth on platforms like YouTube can be slow, but audience interaction, through likes and comments, helps boost visibility.
• 😀 It’s okay to feel like you’re not making as much progress as others, but comparing your journey to others can hinder your own growth.
• 😀 Encouragement and motivation from others, especially in tough times, can go a long way in helping you continue your work.
• 😀 Ultimately, persistence, learning from feedback, and staying committed to your craft are the only ways to truly succeed in any endeavor.

Q & A

What is the main challenge Brandon Waite faces in his game development process?

The main challenge Brandon faces is receiving feedback and criticism about his game. He finds it difficult to separate personal feelings from the critiques of his work, especially when he's spent long hours on a specific mechanic or feature.

How does Brandon Waite deal with negative feedback about his game?

Brandon Waite acknowledges that while negative feedback is crucial for improving his game, he tries not to take it personally. He learns to separate the critique of his game from criticism of himself, reminding himself that it's about improving the game, not his personal worth.

What is the significance of Brandon Waite's YouTube channel and its progress?

Brandon's YouTube channel, which he has been working on for eight months, currently has 608 subscribers. Despite putting in a lot of effort, the channel's growth feels slow, reflecting the challenges and frustration he experiences in both his YouTube and game development journeys.

How does Brandon Waite describe his emotional state during the process of building his game and YouTube channel?

Brandon expresses feelings of disappointment and frustration due to slow progress, particularly when comparing himself to others who seem to be accomplishing more. He also mentions moments where he feels like an imposter or that he's not truly a 'real' YouTuber or game developer.

What is the key message Brandon Waite wants to convey to his viewers?

Brandon encourages viewers to keep going despite feeling discouraged or inadequate. He emphasizes that the only way to fail is to quit and that persistence is key to achieving success, even when progress seems slow or results aren't immediately visible.

How does Brandon Waite view motivational content and advice in the context of his own experience?

Brandon acknowledges that motivational content can seem overly simplistic or frustrating when you're deeply immersed in your work and not seeing immediate results. However, he reflects that such advice is valuable, especially in moments of doubt, and can serve as a reminder to stay focused and persistent.

What personal stakes does Brandon Waite have in the success of his YouTube channel and game development?

Brandon's success with his YouTube channel and game development directly affects his ability to support his family. He shares that the more engagement his videos receive, the more likely he is to avoid financial difficulties and keep his family from facing hardship.

Why does Brandon Waite ask for feedback on his videos?

Brandon asks for feedback to improve his content and ensure that his audience's preferences and needs are met. He values constructive criticism, whether positive or negative, as a tool for growth and refinement in his work.

How does Brandon Waite differentiate between his personal self and his work when receiving feedback?

Brandon makes a conscious effort to view criticism as feedback on his work, not a reflection of his personal worth. He stresses that game mechanics or other elements of his projects may be disliked by some, but that doesn't mean the criticism is directed at him as a person.

What advice does Brandon Waite offer to others who feel like they are 'pretending' to be creators or developers?

Brandon reassures others who feel like impostors or overwhelmed by others' achievements that they are not alone. He encourages them to keep working and to remember that success is achievable as long as they persist and don't quit, regardless of how small their progress may seem.