I Quit My Job To Make Indie Games - How It’s Going

[@Aarimous]

"I'm investing into something that will benefit me in the long run" this is pure gold and while it's not the easy choice, it certainly feels like the right way to live.

[@thomasbrush]

You rock!

[@AaronKelly-oi1bd]

This video is very inspirational i am just starting to learn the basics off game dev with a full time job and 3 kids and finding it very hard to find the time to sit down and keep learning but videos like this one makes me want it more! Thank you for that

[@iHeartGameDev]

Really inspirational, Thomas. You're going for the dream! It's awesome to follow along!

[@CheddarGoblinDev]

My biggest insight when developing a project as a programmer (and second trait artist) was the need for an art bible. I hired a concept artist after 3months in development and he changed the whole vision of the project just by visualising and setting up style guides. My future projects will definitely start with a game design document + art bible before I write a single line of code.

[@speedwaylabsdev]

I think you’re doing a great job just pumping out new ideas. Keep up the great work and congrats on the big moves!

[@TheShelfman]

Love this video, Thomas. Thanks for sharing these insights. Very curious about the financial video😁

[@timvandeneng4724]

You've given me a lot of motivation on my personal quest becoming an indie dev! Im 20 now and still on school studying game development but i can't wait to get out there!

[@CappicheGames]

This was a great watch, thank you and good luck with your future!

[@RealPeoplePerson]

Great video! It's amazing how quick progress one can make when there's no need to sync with designers, artists, UX, QA etc. to get everyone on the same page on exactly how a feature should work and what's needed to implement it. I very much enjoy this low friction aspect of indie dev.

[@NeekOW2]

You are an awesome guy and I hope everything works out for you man!!! Gonna check out your games!

[@GamesBySaul]

Thank you for making this! Super interesting to see how things are going, sounds like the benefits outweigh the negatives for sure, especially for you and the family time

[@corriedotdev]

On the first I finish my PhD and I'm taking two months to make my game. Been so long, resonates hard what your wrote. Will definitely allow my head to free up once this is done. Exciting!

[@rohanayush]

I loved your shirt and style . I like your way of telling stories . Gives very positive vibes. Hooked on to see more from you. All good wishes for you

[@jamescandyland]

Awesome video dude! It’s cool hearing your story with game dev and your perspective with work-life balance✌️

[@AvalonShire]

your work ethic must be on point, thank you for the inspiration I'm sure you will be rewarded greatly in the future

[@TreeFallStudios]

You are legit the best. I also love the honesty with what you said about wanting to work hard to support your fam, but then you are burning the midnight oil and actually spending less time with them even though that was the whole point of quitting. I tread that balance line all the time and sometimes it is just hard to get right. Great video man keep going!

[@andygeers]

Thanks for sharing all this Thomas. Enjoying following along with your journey. Hope you manage to carve out some regular time to step away from the work and hang out with your wonderful family!

[@andygeers]

...and a small minor technical piece of feedback about what you showed of islands and docks... I hope you are going to add a tutorial or something that points really clearly to that tiny little "Generate" button - because that looked like a super important button that did not look like it would be very easy to find without some guidance! Because the game looks GREAT and it would be a shame for people to walk away not having discovered how to use it

[@DumoGoblin]

Congratulations, sir ! And wishing you big success ! 🙌

[@simi7272]

Thank you for sharing your experience. It shows me, that I have to work much harder than I am now...

[@UnwrittenInkStudios]

Fantastic idea with "Fun Fridays" where you don't work on your main game, but instead have fun by messing around with smaller games/projects. Maybe not every Friday, but once in a while it's great to let go of the main game and just have fun with the engine and try new things. And sometimes it even spawns new ideas/ways to do things that could work for the main game - just be careful with scope creep!

[@jordanthompson8870]

Great video Thomas! You embody chasing your dream met with hardwork and realistic expectations.

[@PaahtimoGames]

Thank you for sharing your journey! As person who also quit my job to pursue indie game dev I always love hearing stories from other people.

[@a6gittiworld]

Interesting! Im a small indie gamdev just started last year and this is really inspiring

[@MykelGloober]

I'm really looking forward to your video about the planning leading up to going solo!

[@HotNogginStudios]

Your journey and progress are very inspiring, Thomas. I'll be watching that next video, too.

[@flamart9703]

I just watched your older video about getting job instead of game developing own games, and after that was surprised to see this video. :)

[@0xkero]

Very happy for you ! Keep the good work 💪✨

[@thatonedudelive7260]

Absolutely goals! Currently in a similar boat. I quit my Corporate job at the end of December. I had already started 2 business but still making the grow. Once they are both functional, I will be physically working about 3 days a week, while the 2nd business generates income. With my other free time at that point I want to dive deeper into Game Dev and make 2-3 small games to start! Cant wait to see more videos!

[@user-ng1lv5pr3n]

You're very inspiring! I can relate to your story because I also transitioned from web development.

[@mgehad]

Inspiring!, Best of luck man ❤

[@Antantic_]

Always feels inspired to watch videos like that. Nice work man! Interesting how match money you make on console vs steam (like in percentage) 🙃

[@Str8Griz]

Mad props going for it! I love how you are making small scope games and not letting creep turn it into 2 years of development.

[@nicomartina]

Man! I wish I had someone like you to mentor me through this path. I truly need help! Loved the video!

[@moonstar_connor]

Really appreciate you sharing your full experience! Working my way towards going indie full time with my wife who is an artist, so it's awesome to hear your journey!

[@madebyaaron]

Love everything you're doing. Very inspiring to see and enjoyable to follow. Can't wait to see more

[@bitlong4669]

Wow, subscribed just by hearing how much you have done. Love the energy! Keep it up!

[@TheLetterIsH]

It's very inspiring to see you do what you love! Keep it up! 👏

[@joyfulfishman5445]

This is so awesome, wishing you the best Thomas Stewart!

[@ThomasStewartDev]

Thanks so much!

[@kinsondigital]

Good for you!! I did the same thing about 2 years ago. We left the US and moved to Portugal and at the same time of course I had to quit my job. So I decided since we were moving to Europe and had to leave my job at the time, I decided to finally start working for myself. Though I am not building games, I am building game development tools and libraries. I have been investing all of my time building Velaptor which is a 2D cross platform game development library, CASL which is a cross platform audio library, Carbonate which is a messaging system that a lot of my projects use for various reasons, and a 2D particle engine that I will be building a tool around as a paid product. Best decision I ever made. You got this!!

[@HalfDrankOJ]

As a developer who is about to start an LLC, this is really good insight. Good luck! This is really inspiring!

[@Josh_Alfaro]

Keep it up Thomas, we believe in you brother. Keep cranking out the games. Also if you have any experience with UE 5 the solo dev community could really use some good tutorials. Cheers

[@brandoncole1227]

Love watching your journey!

[@rithikkumarc]

Man.... i really want uur next game to blow up!! i freakin loved it

[@davidfall6255]

Looking forward to hearing more about your next game that’s still under wraps 😅

[@madrededios77]

Super inspiring!!! Congrats on the journey! 😊

[@LuxCorStudios777]

You're 2 months further along than I am. best of luck I'm rooting for ya.

[@kimberlycelaya1895]

Who ever is reading this... have a great day! 🔥🔥🔥

[@kysper50]

Good job investing in yourself and your family's future! No one else is going to do it, I had worked at a difficult labor job for 10 years when I had my daughter I finally decided I wanted more for her and my family and myself, I joined a bootcamp to learn a lot about coding and software development, 5 years later I still grinding and learning I would like to get into game but it seems very volatile at the moment. Players tend to very kind or very toxic and you don't always know what the majority will be when they play your game which gives me a lot of anxiety in that aspect. Your games look fun and the aesthetics are great so it's definitely a great start. Good luck!

[@ThomasStewartDev]

Hey thank you! Yeah, it's definitely a long-term investment, but I think the risk will be worth it!

[@Frothy_Mead]

Great vid, subbed. I'm doing something similar, transitioning to being a full time artist. Graphic design and everything else were a bit of a cop out. I have so much energy working on my drawing skills and compositions. Good luck!

[@ThomasStewartDev]

That's awesome! Best of luck to you, and thanks for the sub!

[@kinsondigital]

Also, about the amount of time that you work...I agree. Knowing that everything is on you without any guaranteed paycheck, means you work more. But the difficulties are worth it. I am lucky enough though to not have any more responsibilities when it comes to kids. They are all adults now. Great video...keep it up.

[@medo_0x00]

I wish you all success and happiness with your family.

[@umbrashadowgaming4974]

Thats cool. Only a few days ago that tanks game was in my steam que.

[@LittleBlue42]

I'm doing the same, however, I don't make enough money in IT in my small town to set aside enough to quit for 6 months. Therefore, I am repairing computers during the day and coding at night. Working my butt off but I love it. I just hope I can make a nice future for my wife and step daughter.

[@camscurrent]

Subscribed and bought your game on Steam. I often fantasize about quitting my job ann making indie games (been slowly learning godot but I’m a hobbyist coder and have a long way to go)

[@ThomasStewartDev]

Hey thanks so much! I hope you enjoy the game. Game development is super fun - good luck on your journey!

[@ObsessiveGames]

Great video, great progress

[@IAmAftermath94]

Another sub, and a comment for the algorithim lol. Good video to watch while making my own game! Keep the motivation!

[@Doughnut445]

Love it! *Motivational saying here*

[@brandonjacksoon]

Liked and subscribed to follow your journey!

[@BigBouncyBanana]

leaving your job (that you like) to persue a hobby takes a lot of courage, what a legend :D

[@Ka_muu]

I keep an active log of my work time. I'm about 1.5 x ~ 2x slower on art in general, and 2 ~ 4 x slower on the draft stage of art specifically. It's much more mentally draining so I take many more breaks.

[@AdjointGaming]

Other than not being yet 100% confident that I know the gaming engine, Having a 9-5 job helps my family survive but that makes me delay releasing my game. Really not easy when u have family :)

[@NathanRohner]

Love the video!

[@fixiple2722]

Amazing video and your journey so far has been inspiring others ❤ Just a thought but I'm seeing youtubers and gamedevs in general participate in gamejams (2-3 days usually) so that they can focus on something else istead of the game they're developing. Do you plan on doing something like this in the futute if you're annoyed by deving your game? 🤔

[@thecrazymoon6578]

Amazing work

[@icosium6301]

Congratulation 🎉

[@daveh5139]

nice work my man, live that dream

[@ThomasStewartDev]

Thanks, I'll do my best to keep it going!

[@bitlong4669]

Put your battery on a trickle charger. I work from home a lot. Had same problem, trickle charger solved it.

[@ThomasStewartDev]

Oh that's a great call! I need to grab one of those

[@shockingchris9809]

Father of a 2 year old and while I don't plan to go full time, I'm investing a ton to a point where my assets will let me go part time.

[@simonnordon8421]

I'm currently working 2 jobs and trying to make it as an indie dev. Less stressful, but much slower.

[@ChazakGames]

Rooting for you!!

[@jordanthompson8870]

Can't wait for the Tanks Mico Game!

[@bigturtleworks]

Thanks for sharing a six month update! Having a supportive wife is the best.

[@orroworld]

Great stuff Thomas. We are also indie developers with a team of five. Our current biggest challenge is to scope down. We had big ideals in the beginning : ) Feel free to check it out (we switched from English to German though but there is still some older content in English)

[@Yener_Egal]

Here is a boost of motivation. :)

[@BronsonBragg]

I love seeing people take risks like this to pursue things that fulfill them. So happy for you, dude! Welcome to the wonderful challenge of self-employment! ❤ it's great! Edit: oh you've been self-employed for several months. Lol! Still! Welcome!

[@jamian_eg0istique]

I hope doing well rn, kinda inspiring, wanna be like you but it's so scary

[@ThomasStewartDev]

Yeah I definitely wouldn't recommend anyone to quit their day job unless they have a really good plan in place haha

[@HussainAl--Khalil]

I’m currently a part time developer just getting started and learning code while juggling a couple day jobs. Your story is very inspiring and encouraging. Had to subscribe, think you sharing your story will help me have a clear vision of my steps forward. What was your method of learning coding? I’ve had issues but starting to find footing in consistent classes to learn. Just asking to better help myself hopefully. Looking forward to your uploads!

[@SoulEngineDev]

Dude, we are on the same path. I would LOVE to connect.

[@volkmarandreeff3940]

niiiice, good inspiration for me ;)

[@newsider5117]

Subscribed!

[@BloxPuns]

I’m the same as you. Got 2 babies and on an indie game studio path.

[@BigDaddyGameDev]

u crazy! I envy you.

[@immortaljanus]

Just stumbled on your channel. I'm a fiction writer myself, been working on original content but I know a few game developers so it's a bit familiar.

[@a_medley]

YOU GOT THIS

[@jweare333]

This just in… Couple has a baby and they all have less time. Just kidding… I was there almost 10 years ago. I was working remotely 100% when my son was born and I decided to take a few years off from my career as a data analyst and programmer to be stay at home dad. It’s super hard work taking care of Littles… And working 100% remotely can be isolating. Make sure you have some social connections. It doesn’t matter if it’s playgroups for your little, game jams, or something completely different. My wife and I are best friends, but I definitely found that I really needed some connection to humans other than my family when I was working remotely/being a stay at home dad. You may be doing the even harder one where you continue to work while doing part-time stay at home dad. Good luck with all your games. I’ve been on your channel since just before you made the split from your company and I’m certainly pulling for you.

[@RealCoachMustafa]

"Watch Thomas destroy his financial future" That hit me close to home

[@helmangreey2138]

Brooo your name is like big calculus master’s name mix. Are you good at calculus???

[@iiropeltonen]

Just had My first Kid. I feel What you Said ✌️

[@BrianPhilipDN]

Great video have u thought bout out sourcing some of the none programming work?

[@ashleycanning1450]

Subscribed on patreon - take my employment money, I hope you succeed. I am planning a similar move in 6 months.

[@ThomasStewartDev]

Ashley thank you so much! Seriously your support means more to me than you know. I hope your upcoming transition pays dividends for you.

[@PolyBench]

Thanks for sharing. Which platform would you recommend focusing on? (Steam, XBox, PS)

[@alkishadjinicolaou5831]

More or less I did the same thing friend!

[@karajimohammed2759]

you got this on lock

[@2rsvold]

My retro after going independent: Being a father of 2 with wife and house and mortgage, I can after 6 months share that I'm back in the same job as before, but with 60k in debt after loosing all I had saved up, and then some, after going without an income for all of the 6 months. Not worth it...

[@steelfeathers3827]

This is my dream

[@FcbDev]

8:01 What is the duck's name? 🙏😁

[@tjspeirs75]

appreciate the vid! how many games have you released so far? It always feels like anyone would have to release a whole bunch to get any sort of money in, not like breaking even, but just any money

[@bpblitz]

I'm a baby coder and I definitely recognize the rubber ducky lol

[@anthonymartin4900]

Hey i got a yellow ducky at my firm 😂 The jokes they it tells quack me up 😂😂🎉 Good work man!