Two stories:
- A few years back I got stuck in a conversation with people who make ‘short form video content’ in the so-called games industry, and they told me, without a hint of irony, that I should make TikTok videos about my games AND more bafflingly, videos of me saying ‘hot takes’ or something? It was such an alien experience and I felt honestly pretty humiliated after getting out of that convo, the idea that commodifying my process, my thoughts and my face–all things I willingly share with friends but are also deeply private–could be anything but deeply dehumanising. Thankfully, my friend was there too. We went outside to have a smoke and complain about how weird that conversation was.
- I used to draw a lot throughout my younger years. Before making games I made comics, but year after year my frustration with my lack of formal training and anxiety comparing myself to peers online who were always younger and younger than me made me realise that maybe I don’t like drawing. So I quit. I started writing and making games instead. A few years later, out of the blue I decided I wanted to draw again. I decided I need to re-built my relationship with drawing, from scratch. No sharing any of my drawings to anyone, just try to enjoy the process. I like drawing now! I still don’t share most of what I draw unless it’s stuff I use in my games.
Great manifesto, thank you for writing it.