Yes, it has been awhile again. Until the holidays, things were pretty much the same: Moving slowly. The past couple of weeks have been impacted by the normal holiday events. But that time has past. When I started this adventure almost a year ago, the plan was to assess where I was come the New Year. The New Year has arrived. This week I have spent assessing where I am financially and project status. Financially is fine. I could continue as I am for another year. But then the tanks would be completely dry. As for my current project, it is taking much longer than I had hoped. I am spending more time working on the art assets than actual code. I can do the art, but it takes me much longer than I want it to. It is tough when you can see it in your mind, but what comes out of your hands is not the same.
Finances were never such that I could afford to hire an artist, nor do I have enough volume to really need a full time artist. Spec art work tends to be expensive for those that talk about prices. Finding someone trustworthy to do spec work is a challenge as well. An artist has to eat just like the rest of us, so asking for free or cheap art seems wrong to me. And I tend to believe that you get what you pay for: If it is free or cheap, it may not be worth anything. Or even worse, it may be cost you more in the long run.
For my current project, I will be shifting to limiting my own art work to the bare minimum and spend more time focusing on functionality. The intent being that I get it to a point where involving an artist makes more sense. Or in a dreamy world, I magically become faster at art. I will continue to work on my current project until the end of March. Then I will assess where I am again with this project.
Farther out, I feel I can continue working as I am until the end of June. At that point, I will shift gears and start looking for outside work. Much like I did last time, I will be picky to begin with by looking for something with an organization that I believe in first. After a month or two of that, I will shift to looking for higher paying IT contracts. The higher paying contracts usually require travel. The intention then is to work long enough to save enough to go back to game development again.
Another reason to not write was the political world. I started to repeat myself. There was not a good choice. Trump was elected and now deserves your support. If you do not like that, then I suggest you figure out proper ways to change the political world. This was the year for an independent candidate to make a good showing, but none did. Rioting in the streets is not the answer. Whinnying about it does not help. So put your adult pants on and suck it up. I hear Ireland is a nice place to live and loves Americans. Canada might start shooting Americans. Mexico would kidnap you until they figure out you are worthless and then shoot you. California should secede. Nevada probably has to go with it to be viable.
In the mean time, perhaps fate will smile on me and the perfect opportunity will come knocking.
