In train on the way to work… This mornings train thoughts are that I want to slow down and stay engaged. Slow down because I need to relax and not worry that things are not done yet. And stay engaged instead of withdrawing from the society of other game developers… because I haven’t finished my game yet.
At GDC I met so many great people and caught up with friends I haven’t seen since I left Seattle in 2015. Additionally, I hosted the first ever Science Game Discussion and Show, where 30 science game developers and some science game funders gathered to share their games, goals, some beers and some fun. The event was 2-4 pm at a bar called Ace’s and the relaxed environment fostered great conversations about what is a science game and how can we sustain our work! The encouragement and the open, happy hope for my success that my friends and fellow game devs shared with me is so encouraging. I need to stay engaged with my friends and my game dev society so I can stay encouraged and keep working.
I turned 47 this year. Some might not think that seems so old, but my mom died at age 47. I have missed her advice and encouragement for 20 years now. Mixed in are feelings that I have switched careers too drastically, that I have ended up as some kind of over educated game developer. Biochemistry –>learning researcher –> studio head…. my non traditional path seems to have left me with fewer completed games to my name than if I had come straight through as a computer science / game development student. But, who else and how else could someone make most excellent biochemistry games unless they had all these experiences?
Sometimes I feel like I’ve deferred having a family too long and should have settled down…. But in the light of my friends, I remember my goals! I am moving forward, recharged and reassured that my goals are (reasonably) popular! If I stay on this path and keep working hard I hope that I’ll have some success teaching lots of folks about molecular cell biology!
Here is a short video of the first Science Game Discussion and Show:div>
