[seanssel]

Game development.

I’ll admit that part of my problem is chronic depression over a decade+. The idea of gamedev excites me, but I have a hard time feeling passionate about anything these days. You definitely need that for games. Hell, I’m barely able to sit down and even enjoy games anymore.

[nathan_compton]

We're not depressed, the rest of the world is just stupidly optimistic.

[yieldcrv]

Only partial agree!

I think there is a group that is nihilistic and follows that with a defeatist view

There is also a group that is nihilistic and extremely content with the state of the world and molding it to their liking. Which is very useful

and then there is everyone else with the optimism

also this is not depression

[alexathrowawa9]

Sounds like you have succumbed to the engagement algorithms

[speakfreely]

https://www.noahpinion.blog/p/dont-be-a-doomer

[nathan_compton]

Takes all kinds, I say.

[protocolture]

Gamedev is weird. I want to do it, and am trained to do it, but the working conditions are horrific.

Like half my graduating class ended up in a real estate company making directx based 3d walkthroughs for minimum wage.

Even if you are successful, the crunch is oppressive. The bigger firms will make you labor hard for your art, take all the cream off the top and then terminate your contract.

And yet heaps of people, even me when I am bored, want to do it.

[bemmu]

Try Roblox (YouTube but for games essentially). You can publish a game just a few clicks, and even quite simple games can get popular enough that you get the satisfaction of seeing others interact with the thing you made, which is very motivating.

[petee]

Not sure what types of games you're interested in, but the TIC-80 can be fun to explore, and supports quite a few languages

[seanssel]

Ah yeah I love the concept of these small fantasy computers. I’m familiar with them because of Celeste, but never played with one.

I’m interested in traditional roguelikes these days (Tales of Maj’Eyal, Qud, Brogue). Ofc the dream is to make something with wider appeal, like Balatro, and get out of the rat race all together.