Why I left my Job at Coffee Stain

Summary

In this heartfelt video, a former Community Manager at Coffee Stain shares the decision to leave after five years of working on the game 'Satisfactory.' The video dives into the personal challenges of burnout, the desire for a better work-life balance, and the need to pursue creativity and new opportunities. The creator reveals plans for 2025, including focusing on their own channel, making a small game, returning to streaming, and freelancing. The video concludes with a focus on prioritizing personal time, especially with loved ones, and a hopeful outlook for the future.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker is leaving their role as a community manager at Coffee Stain Studios after almost five years.
• 😀 Burnout earlier in the year led the speaker to reassess their life and career priorities.
• 😀 Although proud of their work on *Satisfactory*, the speaker feels ready to move on after years of involvement with the game.
• 😀 The speaker sees burnout as a catalyst for personal reflection and creative rejuvenation, not the sole reason for leaving.
• 😀 After taking time off, the speaker felt a strong desire to be creative again, leading them to pursue new projects.
• 😀 One of the speaker's main goals is to pick up their YouTube channel and create regular content focused on game development and related topics.
• 😀 The speaker plans to work on a small game of their own, although they’re still weighing ideas and options.
• 😀 The speaker is interested in returning to streaming, particularly with a *Satisfactory* playthrough, though they may need a brief break before diving in.
• 😀 Freelancing is another goal, with the speaker hoping to help other developers achieve success similar to *Satisfactory*.
• 😀 A key personal goal is to spend more time with their dog, valuing the limited time they have together.
• 😀 The speaker's plans are not fully set in stone, but they aim to start focusing on their personal projects in early 2025.
• 😀 The speaker closes by thanking the audience and inviting questions in the comments, expressing excitement about what lies ahead.

Q & A

Why did you decide to leave your position as community manager at Coffee Stain?

I decided to leave because I felt burned out and needed to reassess my life. Working on *Satisfactory* for nearly seven years, I reached a point where it began to feel like a grind. While I’m proud of the work done, I realized it was time to move on and explore new opportunities.

What role did burnout play in your decision to leave?

Burnout wasn't the sole reason I decided to leave, but it was a catalyst. It helped me see that I needed a break and to rethink my priorities. It was more of a spiritual journey that pushed me to reconnect with my creative side and reassess my work-life balance.

You mentioned taking time off due to burnout. How did that affect your decision-making process?

Taking time off allowed me to rest and recharge, which made me realize how much I missed being creative. It sparked a desire to pursue new projects, especially ones where I could focus on creating something entirely new. It was a wake-up call to prioritize my personal well-being and creative passions.

How do you feel about *Satisfactory* and Coffee Stain after all these years?

*Satisfactory* and Coffee Stain have been an incredibly rewarding experience. I’m really proud of the work we’ve done and the recognition we’ve received from both the community and peers in the game development industry. That said, after many years of working on it, I felt it was time to take a step back and focus on new creative pursuits.

What creative projects are you planning to pursue next?

I’m planning to focus on a few things. First, I want to revitalize my YouTube channel and create more videos around game development. I also want to work on a small game, something I’ve always dreamed of doing. Streaming is another area I’m excited to return to, and I’m also considering freelancing to help other indie developers.

Why do you want to return to streaming, and what do you plan to do on your streams?

I haven’t streamed in two years, and I really miss the live interaction with the community. I’m excited to do a full playthrough of *Satisfactory* on stream, as I’ve never fully finished it. I think it’ll be a fun way to revisit the game and engage with fans in a more personal way.

What’s the main reason you’re focusing on your YouTube channel in 2025?

The main reason is that I want to re-establish my creativity and share insights on game development. I got a lot of positive feedback when I first started the channel, and I see great potential in continuing to create content. I’m also considering rebranding the channel to give it a fresh start.

Do you have a specific game in mind that you want to develop, or are you still exploring ideas?

I have several ideas I’m currently weighing. There’s no single game yet, but I’m exploring different options. My goal is to create a small game that allows me to experiment and learn more about the development process.

What role do you see yourself playing in the indie game development scene moving forward?

I want to help other indie developers succeed, just as *Satisfactory* has. I’m exploring freelancing as a way to offer my expertise and contribute to other projects. My experience at Coffee Stain has given me a lot of insight into game development, and I want to use that to help others bring their ideas to life.

How important is work-life balance to you now, especially after your experience with burnout?

Work-life balance is incredibly important to me now. My experience with burnout made me realize how essential it is to step back, rest, and enjoy life. I want to spend more time with my dog and focus on the things that truly bring me joy and fulfillment, rather than just pushing myself to work constantly.