Gabriel Cornish @gabrielcornish - Tumblr Blog

🕹 One of the best parts about landing an interview in the game industry is that I get to play a bunch of the studio’s games as prep.

How to structure your day as an unemployed game developer

Unemployed as a game developer? Here’s how I’m staying on track and keeping my spirits up. I’ve crafted a simple daily routine that’s been essential for my mental well-being and productivity during this period. <ul> <li>Morning: Create 🎨</li> <li>Midday: Connect 📨</li> <li>Afternoon: Contribute 🙌🏽</li> </ul> Create: This is all about building skills and creative growth. While the timing of my next opportunity is uncertain, I’m making the most of this time by exploring new technologies, building games, and honing my craft. Connect: This phase is all about maximizing opportunities. Whether it’s reaching out to my network, applying for roles, or sharing my latest work, I’m just trying to keep the momentum going. Contribute: Giving back to the community is key. Whether it’s helping others in their job search, collaborating on indie projects, or participating in game jams, assisting others is how we’re all going to get through this. And here’s one last bonus… <ul> <li>Evenings: Community</li> </ul> Evenings are dedicated to recharging with loved ones. It’s my time to unplug, rest, and cherish moments with friends and family. I’d love to hear what strategies have been working for you as you navigate your job search. Drop a comment below and let’s support each other! Cheers and happy Friday everyone!

Tahoe with my wife and child <img src="https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/16155/2024/3b2c08eb74.jpg" width="450" height="600" alt="">

🕹 Last week I released Hell Dev. <ul> <li>Made in around 10 hours over the course of a month in my spare time.</li> <li>It turned out “ok”</li> <li>All-in-all it was a fun project that got me through my first week of unemployment</li> </ul> <iframe frameborder="0" src="https://itch.io/embed/2870110" width="552" height="167"><a href="https://gabrielcornish.itch.io/hell-dev">Hell Dev by Gabriel Cornish</a></iframe>

#gamedev community, I’d love to hear from you! What’s the most fun you’ve ever had working on a game? <ul> <li>What were you working on?</li> <li>What made it made such a fun experience?</li> <li>When was the last time you felt like that?</li> </ul>

🕹️ Game dev should be fun and creatively fulfilling! If you feel burnt out or disillusioned, think about treating yourself to a small game project that’s just for you. <ul> <li>🗓️ Make it in a month.</li> <li>⏱️ Work on it for 1-2 hours a week.</li> <li>🔥 Don’t crunch. Cut scope instead.</li> <li>😊 Make whatever brings you joy.</li> </ul>

<a href="https://www.gamedeveloper.com/production/over-500-blizzard-entertainment-workers-form-wall-to-wall-union">The WoW team has formed a union</a>! I hope they achieve a sustainable and fulfilling work environment so that they can produce their best work.

🎮 A massive problem in the game industry is morale. Developers aren’t having a good time making games because we’re focused on trying to survive. This is not sustainable. The industry needs happy and fulfilled developers to make great games for players to enjoy.

Maya Rudolph is the one person who’s gonna get me through the 2024 election season.

If you’re just starting out in game design, I recommend doubling down on making games that are easy to understand. It’s a skill that will never go out of style. It took me way too long to learn that clarity is fundamental to design and all good things arise from a clear and accessible experience.

My toddler’s activity of choice this morning was to randomly throw my shoes around the house… and after seeing how much fun he was having, I joined in. The kid makes a good point. Throwing shoes is fun as hell.

As I become another game developer affected by layoffs, I’ve realized that I’m terrified of what’s next and what I want from a career in games. The scariest thing is admitting to yourself what you actually want. Especially when it runs counter to everything you’ve told yourself and believed.

Panic time! I’m coming up on the remaining days of the jam and I still have nothing as far as gameplay. I’ve tried out a few things, but nothing seems to be sticking. II need to pivot to something and fast. It seems like the best possible strategy I can do is SIMPLIFY, SIMPLIFY, SIMPLIFY. <img src="https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/16155/2024/5f8466cd72.gif" width="512" height="342" alt="">

Just wrapped up my game over screen for the Decker 2024 game jam. <img src="https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/16155/2024/fc2024-5.gif" width="512" height="342" alt="">

Game design is great because you can make the tiniest victories feel major with enough positive reinforcement. Games can help people feel joy from their smallest actions and I just love that.

A great way to procrastinate working on your game is to work on the title screen instead. Here’s my first stab at the cover art for Hell Dev. <img src="https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/16155/2024/fc2024-title.gif" width="512" height="342" alt="">

🕹️ Today, was more art exploration for the game jam. I also set up the two main resources. The player will be managing Health and Glitches. <ul> <li>Health is simple. If it reaches zero: game over.</li> <li>Glitches are meant to be collected. Collect enough glitches to escape the video game you’re trapped inside.</li> </ul> <img src="https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/16155/2024/fc2024-4.gif" width="512" height="342" alt="">

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