New games every week!
Staying Focussed Blog
15th January 2021
New Patreon subscriber Fardin Fahim got in contact to ask a question..


I really just wanted to know if you have any advice for someone who wants to get better at their game design craft, but struggles to get past the "booting up your game engine" part.


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I'm assuming this is that thing where you load the code up, then sit there playing the game for a couple of hours, and don't ever get any further before eventually closing the code and not having accomplished a thing. (See Also : Me, last week, trying to get Flappadiddle finished!)

In many ways, that's actually a good thing. It means the game's fun, and exciting enough that it's entertaining you instead of the task you're supposed to be doing.
One of the best things about doing AGameAWeek is that the games needn't be large, or accomplished before they get sent out for the world to play. But I can definitely understand people who are building bigger and better games, struggling with this issue, and that trying to focus and stay on target will be one of the hardest things to cope with.

It might appear that I know what I'm doing, on that front, but take into consideration the number of different tasks that I do in a week, and you'll quickly realise that I, too, struggle with such things.
Leaping from task to task is my way of keeping my mind occupied.
I'm just lucky that, along the way, I can actually get a few of the tasks done! .. But again, my tasks are infinitely smaller!

If your mind is getting bored with a project, I suggest trying to add a simple side-project into the mix. Nothing too large and cumbersome. Something arty, musical, some writing. Even a session of gaming might help relieve the monotony of coding. Take your mind off things, let the code flow in your head, and prepare yourself for the next session.

.. But, of course, don't forget to keep your focus on the main task.
Always come back to the code!

If you've any questions, feel free to <a href="mailto:Jayenkai@Gmail.com">ask away</a>. You don't need to subscribe via Patreon to do so!!
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