itch.io

In my opinion, the game doesn't feel too challenging right now. Not having to reload definitely makes it easy to just run around and shoot everything you see without really paying attention to anything else (not a bad thing, just something I noticed). Other than that, the game feels balanced already, and the enemy variety alongside a possible reload/ammo mechanic could make for really good game feel.

I think this was the response that I needed to figure out what I wanted to do. Thank you for your perspective and response!

Thank you for the response. And yea, that definitely seems like the way that I’ve seen indie game devs be able to do what they do full time. Luck plays a huge part in it all; I guess it boils down to that quote from the first chapter of Faith, and that I should have faith that I’m doing the right thing. 
Thank you again for the advice!

Hey there! So I've been having a stressful time recently concerned about the release of my first game.

CONTEXT

For context, one of my last classes in college allowed me to start development on my first indie release. Originally, the plan was to release the demo on Itch, have a Kickstarter ready to go alongside that, and hopefully fund the rest of the release through those means (alongside a YouTube channel I only have one video on rn lmao). You know, taking a lot of that Thomas Brush advice to heart to release my first game. I still think it's a reasonable thing to do, but after a little more research, I'm not too sure.

See, the game that I'm inspired by gained popularity naturally, and the creator, using the hype that this first release created, was able to not only work in collaboration with other studios, but finish his series that he started just by releasing his first game. This would be the ideal situation for me as I'm not known everywhere in the indie game scene just like he was, but this is where it gets more confusing.

THE PROBLEM

Now I have no clue what route to take. I want to make indie games for a living, and I would do anything to achieve that. My two options at the moment are:

1. Release the game as a demo, have a Kickstarter ready as well, and be able to work nonstop thanks to the funds raised, leading to a full-game release.
   1.  PRO - possible good money to let me pay rent and finish the game on my own terms, people get the full finished product sooner. 
   2. CON - if the game sucks, then my Kickstarter might subsequently fail, and the full-game release just doesn't happen.
2. Release the game as "Chapter 1" on Itch, try to grow organically through the community that it creates, and use that hype to continue the rest of the chapters, possibly working on smaller side projects to fund it.
   1. PRO - it feels more like a passion project rather than work, less stress to complete it, and the possibility to work on other smaller projects alongside this. 
   2. CON - it's possibly harder to make money this way, leaving me needing to work a separate job to make it work until I can hopefully do it full time.

I really could use some advice as well as some other points of view. Even if my games don't reach the level of Toby Fox or ConcernedApe levels of hype, being able to just make indie games for a living would be a dream.

Thank you!

I think this is a great start to what could be a really fun endless "runner" type game. If there was some variety on the enemies and more drops, I think you'd have a great product. Like someone else said, it is a little repetitive, but I think a lot of game jam games can be. Great job!

It's incredibly impressive how you are able to implement an AI model into your game that simulates the different fish personality. On top of that, the color scheme is super unique and complements the playful theme extremely well.  Great job!

Hello! My name is M4tted, and I am currently a senior about to start my last semester in school before I need to get a job. 

I am completely self taught (which shows in the mastering, I'm working on it lmao) with a love for all types of music. For example, one of the albums that I have created, icanbenormal, was created due to a love of indie game music and jazz. Listen for yourself: 

Hit me up at @m4tted_music on Instagram, and I hope to talk to you soon!

 - M4tted

(SOUND DESIGNER/COMPOSER)

I would LOVE nothing more than to help you guys out with the sound design and composing! I have a deep appreciation for story-first games as well as indie game soundtrack, and being on the team would be a big honor. HMU if you want to work!

I appreciate the feedback! Synthesis is something I’m just now getting into after years of just doing rock music, so hearing someone who’s interested in the genre I was attempting say it was done well is VERY appreciated.

Best of luck to you during the jam!

I’m glad you enjoyed it!

I really appreciate the feedback on Before the Rust Settles. I plan on creating more of those ambient tracks so having feedback on that is really, really helpful.

Good luck on the jam!

Thank you! And good luck to you as well!

This soundtrack is BEAUTIFULLY orchestrated, especially the second track, Wind and Whispers (very big Blind Guardian vibes from that). The percussion is done really tastefully and I love the overall quality of this OST.

Thank you so much! It’s the first time I’ve ventured out from my normal calm music, so to hear that is awesome.

This is a really great soundtrack. I love the idea of not using “normal” percussive instruments as a way to signify being far from home. I also loved the bass-lines for most of the tracks you produced. Great job!

I really appreciate the feedback, thank you!

As for the theme, I've updated my submission page to include my interpretation of the theme. I hope that it serves as a good summary for what I was going for. 

Thank you again for the comment!