I was on the brink of achieving a significant milestone, with my tasks almost complete and progress well ahead of schedule. Everything seemed to be falling into place until an unexpected hurdle threw a wrench in my plans. I was all set to push my work to the repository, only to be greeted by a stubborn error courtesy of Perforce, our version control system.
Hours slipped away as I tried everything to resolve the issue. I tried restarting the application, even my entire computer, hoping for a quick fix. When that failed, I resorted to uninstalling and reinstalling the application, grasping at straws to try to fix the issue. Seeking help, I turned to my fellow developers and teachers for support. Three teachers step in, each offering their expertise, but the elusive solution remained out of reach. As time ticked away, stress mounted, and the pressure to deliver intensified.
Later that same evening, another one of my teachers reached out to me and asked if we could chat and for me to share my screen. I agreed, and together we took a close look at the situation. In just about 20 minutes, he skillfully reset my repository back to the current build. It was a huge relief. Now all I needed to do was migrate over the work I had completed from my other version of the project. As I started reintegrating my work, a cascade of new challenges emerged. With determination fueling me, and plenty of coffee and monster, I attempted to tackled every problem, determined to meet the approaching code freeze deadline. Fatigue set in, and the late hours blurred together, yet I persevered. In the end, I had to make a tough call – I couldn't fit everything I had planned into the build. Instead, I shifted my focus to refining existing elements. After all this, I learned that problems are normal in game development. This showed me how being strong and able to adjust is important, and it also showed me how great the game development community is at helping each other. Remember, my mentors were there to guide me when things were tough. This really showed me how dedicated they are.
In the end, my story is a reminder that even when things don't go well, solving problems makes you better. As you work on your own games, know that problems are just things you can overcome with the right attitude and help. You'll come out even stronger.
Author: JohnniK. Beal
Date: 8/11/2023