This month did NOT go to plan... (+ BIG Announcement) // May 2024 Devlog

[@WillHuizenga]

Getting started on a project is always the hardest part. The fact that you were able to sit down, and find out what doesn't work for you is still progress. It may not feel like it, but it is. Grats on the gig. Being around other devs is a great opportunity!

[@canuckotter]

There's a thing writers will sometimes say: I can edit shitty writing, but I can't edit a blank page. So yeah, your strategy for next month sounds like a great plan. 🙂

[@jembawls]

Very good quote

[@GamerXenith]

Something I've found helpful in general world building is to create stories for everything that exists. Instead of creating a map with trees, I generate stories in my head, such as that the big oak was a favorite meeting spot for a teenage couple and it grew so big that it shadowed out trees around it, so it stands alone with some initials carved into the trunk. It is not time efficient, but I've enjoyed the depth it gives to what I create. 😄 And it forces the brain to break things down into smaller chunks! Idk if it'll help you, but I felt I should mention it. I appreciate these videos because I have my own mental health struggles and it's inspiring to hear someone be so honest and upfront.

[@jembawls]

This approach is really interesting and given that I've done a lot of writing/world building already it might be somewhat doable - will keep it in mind!

[@L1nada]

I hear from a lot of creative people that having a part time job helps them a) get out of the house, and b) lets them do work without the stress of making the creative decisions. I hope it works out well for you :)

[@FactoryOfHorrors]

Thanks for your description of how you work through bipolar disorder. Mental disorders are often described as binary, either on or off. It sets up the false expectation that they go away and sometimes they do, but sometimes they don't and there's still life to live/things to do/etc.

[@jembawls]

Yep, they come in all shapes and sizes. In many cases they are persistent and chronic which is the case for me.

[@pilotdawn1661]

Outstanding transparency and expression of the issues - Extremely helpful - we all share in facing obstacles with our various pursuits. Very encouraging. Continued hopes for your success!

[@dor_sax]

You explained your situation very well and I do understand. Hoping your ups and downs smooth out soon again, loving your content, greeting you from Germany!

[@bondioal]

Sorry things didn't go as planned this month, but I'm glad other things are going well. Looking forward to hearing more about your other project! You're doing great! Also: Thanks, Jace, helps a lot. Love the communication and transparency.

[@danteteeter6567]

I admire your introspection skills, and I'm really glad you're still chugging along with it man. I've been struggling with my ADHD lately and not really getting a whole lot done so it's honestly really helpful to see how you're working through your own mental health.

[@P-NoyBoy]

Jace, we appreciate you always. Sorry you had a rough go at May but proud of you for trucking along and further, letting us know about it. Much love! ❤

[@vargonian]

“I deeply struggle with unfamiliar work”. *tearful hug* This is me this week. I keep distracting myself with Satisfactory to avoid the pain of wading through uncertainty.

[@AlexisMorin]

Calling out how hard "unfamiliar work" is to get over is super helpful. Thanks for the mental help, Jace

[@scpWyatt]

I think these are all really good points. I also see so many people trying to "make progress" on their >>current thing

[@eyskyaldi6126]

I can't really catch up with streams so those monthly updates is very useful, even there is "no progress". GJ Jace!

[@OmoNok]

Hi Jace I wached the Bipolar video by Embracer Group and I won't change my mind that you are still funny and nothing won't change that. I hope that you will win the fight you are having and don't forget that we are here because we love your atitude!

[@Saalach-Spiele]

Lowering the expectations seems like a wonderful idea. Pressure ups the anxiety. No need to artificially increase the difficulty. Are you interested in talking with no mask put on? Like, no happy face, no downplaying... Or as little as you're comfortable with.

[@wrathtroll1998]

Stay strong Jace, you've taken the hardest step, the first one.

[@POBTECH]

Thanks for speaking to your personal mental health struggles (BPD). It is so very taboo ro most people especially for American Men. You are a great influencer and we can't wait to see and follow your progress!

[@JCurry1123]

I thought BPD was borderline personality disorder not bipolar disorder

[@kindbutangry]

Much love Jace!

[@jembawls]

I struggle/struggled with the “who am I” thing too which is something I rarely hear talked about. Wishing you all the best!

[@roddlez]

I can't believe you're working on Poo Emoji Simulator 2025! Congrats! I suffer from the similar problems: bipolar disorder, ADHD, and wariness of unfamiliar/unstructured activities I've tried to build PC games for years, and it's a challenge. Kudos to you to going through this. It's hard but worth the struggle to express yourself through this medium.

[@BobcatMoviesInc]

Rather than keep trying to jump the big gap from point A to point B, you've brought point B a little closer for the coming month. That's a smart move, I think. Pennies make pounds, as the saying goes here (or a little goes a long way for the international crowd lol) - bitesize increments of progress will only add up over time until you look back at the end, with some amazing level designs, and think 'how the hell did I get to this point?' Keep truckin', Jace 🙌

[@andrewbieny4564]

Jace. I don't care about your progression in developing your game. I just care that you are sharing the journey with us. Life can be rough but it can also be great and no doubt you will have some lows in the forth coming years but at the end of the journey, I'm sure you will be proud of the product. Much love

[@LittlDog]

I really hope everything works out well.

[@robciog2006]

Appreciate this episode. It's heartwarming that I'm not alone with the struggle. Have a great game announcement and a fruitful month.

[@PTMsubaru41]

I feel you on that Jace, not on the Bi-polar part, but the Unfamiliar thing, i totally understand, i'm stuck in my game making process due to a menu i don't know how to make in Godot, and on the " work " stuff side as well, i'm leading my first full project as an Senior LQA Tester and it takes me forever every day to do so :D so I wish you the best for your project, really hope you'll get through it and get the result you expect ! Thanks Jace, helps a lot ! (you're my favorite person on KZbin, so nice and humble)

[@jembawls]

ty for the kind words! And best of luck with your game & work!

[@foxunfocused]

I'm starting on the code for my first game project next month and it's so awesome to see this level of transparency. I'm helping with the game documentation and ideas generation with the guy that pitched the original idea right now, and my work schedule and life events keep slowing both of us down. Really adding some much needed wind back into my own sails!

[@MCNeko6554]

Thank you for sharing your struggles. I have periods of depression and burnout that can significantly impact my ability to work on projects, especially when it's unfamiliar work. I tend to set myself up with too much work for large projects and get burnt out when I can't keep up. I've started working on game jams to help me better understand appropriate project scoping based on my skill level. So far it's definitely helped me learn small but important aspects of development in bite-sized projects.

[@johanmaasing]

Modify your definition of progress: did you learn a new thing, did you improve something in life or change a process, did you take the time out to maintain the desire to make the game?Then you’ve made progress.

[@skadoodlificator]

Thanks for all you shared here! Been experiencing something similar with my own game I’m working on, and even though I know on paper it’s a part of the process, hearing your experience and thoughts here was really helpful in processing that and regaining some motivation to figure out a way to get unstuck. Appreciate you and the community you’ve built! Looking forward to hearing how the next month goes

[@Jyfulness]

Big friendly hugs, Jace! These times are also part of the path. You accomplished a lot this month. Grant yourself some grace, friend.

[@briguy3761]

Great take! I love creating excellent, perfectly-designed and implemented content, and so if I'm approaching something unknown where I'm a noob and can't do that to my standards, then starting off is usually the biggest challenge and takes me literally forever to do in some cases. However, giving yourself permission to create "shit" and to expect that level of quality in the first draft sounds like a great way to take the pressure off, and the end result once that shit is created is something that you can iterate on piece-by-piece in smaller, more achievable chunks, transforming and paring it down into a beautiful hunk of many glorious flawlessnesses!

[@McShavey]

This is some great analysis and we're all a work in progress. You sound as though you're doing everything you need to Jace. Keep it up man. Edit: YES! Do the any old shit thing! I found it REALLY hard to pick up this mindset, but putting something - *ANYTHING* - down and massaging it into a working thing, I make MUCH more progress than agonising about how to go about something first. Edit 2: It's funny, because Factorio actually taught me to embrace the mindset that things can be changed and updated instead of always having to be perfectly planned and executed.

[@cmdrDiscoCat]

I wanted to practice Doom Mapmaking to gain skill in level design/game design, as the game and options are already done, you just have to focus on doing maps. It took me a year (and a event around doom mapmaking) to get me to start my first map... and a few days in, I can tell it won't be hard at all to make a second one. And it's the reasons you mentioned in that "unfamiliar work" part, pretty much. The fact that I might have been focusing on Godot and Blender first might also explain why it took me a year... but let's be honest I was mostly dreading it (like a bit with blender) cause I'm a programmer, and 3D modeling as well as mapmaking are unfamiliar to me... I mean, *were* unfamiliar, now :D

[@reallyanotheruser7290]

Half expected another "im shure that at the very least you will think it is satisfactory" ^^ Managing the lows in and of itlself can be a huge achievement.

[@alexhigginbotham8635]

You're going a great job Jace. I'm proud of you. Keep on keeping on.

[@theengineerinthemachine5227]

Good to catch up with you again. Miss you on Satisfactory, but the guys are keeping up the standards you set. Good luck with progress over June, and I look forward to finding out what game you're talking about!

[@BlàckÐèàth]

Jace you don't owe us anything. We're thankful to be along for the ride - a passenger in YOUR life's experience. Know you are not your condition or disease its merely a fraction of you - again a passenger to the true Jace. There's a silly saying I've heard in my IT career "how do you eat a elephant?" and the answer is "one bite at a time". I'm not here to judge the size of the step I'm just proud of you making A step in your life's goal. That's what's exciting and inspirational to me. Keep on keep'n on my friend.

[@TheXkyneticx]

You got this Jace 💪 The part time job is a good call, human interaction is a good thing 😄

[@3lapsed]

Looking forward to Sunday to learn about what amazing project you're working on

[@jembawls]

Thanks! Also I spy that lil membership icon - thank you very much for your support with that too!

[@3lapsed]

@@jembawls

[@SmilingRob]

Awesome DevLog, thanks for explaining struggles and successes

[@beepmcjeep5527]

Oh man, I've lived having to work around Bipolar Disorder (or at least huge ManicDepressive Swings) and also take meds for it to help dampen the swings. I have learned, over the course of the 15+ years in my professional life, to expect it and notice when I feel swings coming on and try to take advantage of it. I'm also a software engineer, but I've worked in consulting, software architecture, cybersecurity, dev-ops, speaker/teacher, etc. Depressive Phase: - I believe I'm more logical in this stage, maybe a bit more cynical, which lends itself to a certain efficiency/realism approach in planning (following up on the manic phase below). - Tedious work, things like e-mails, and planning usually in the depressive stages is key. - Willingness to take a break and do things I *might* find entertaining (sometimes that's impossible, which means my depression meds need to be turned up). - This includes playing videogames, taking vacation, spending time with family, etc. - I have to trust the stage won't last more than two weeks, maybe if I'm lucky a week. Manic Phase: - When I feel the manic stage coming on I immediately refine/prioritize the plans from the depressive phase (for like a day or two), pomodoro method split them up for time, go out of my way to set myself to lock out distractions, etc. - Get into crunch mode and take advantage of it after those two days, just start knocking things off the list(s), for as long as I can without health suffering, keeping notes as I can. - When I feel the manic stage fading, I make an effort to start to wrap things up by consolidating those notes, finish tasks, etc. - Finally (and most importantly with a team) I delegate what I can the two days before that the manic stage fully fades (when I'll be most helpful to onboarding/teaching the people I'm delegating to). - Then I go back to the depressive phase (as planned and expected). It's super key not to get wrapped up playing games or doing anything too "fun" that you can sink time into during the manic phase, because you're effectively "blowing" it (unless that's part of your work). If it's not on the to-do list carved out with a time expectation/limitation you HAVE TO stay away from it. Satisfactory/Factorio/etc are the most fun in these phases and notorious for losing track of time while you play them, so they're the *worst* (but also the "best" when you can realistically afford the time spent). It took me about a decade to refine this process and get in tune with it all, but I couldn't ask for more success as a result. I spent a lot of time trying to get meds, energy drinks, etc to just power through the cycles, but once I embraced them it was like a superpower. It also took a significant amount of time to set my professional life up for the flexibility this requires.

[@damianwright3690]

You can do it! As in, you can eventually do nearly anything you set your mind to, and if you're doing the work you're going to learn things anyway. But other than that... congrats, you're still moving, with light in your eyes. Both are pretty big wins when you cut right back to basics. Best wishes for you.

[@MalReaver]

Hi Jace I had to unsubscribe a few months back because I really needed a mental health break. You did chastize me for something and I realized I was getting into old bad habits again. So thank you and I am now much better. Mental health is a tricky thing and it helps when other people can let you know when you need a break. I am pretty sure I may be ready to sub and rejoin the community again. I have missed you all. So glad you are still doing what you want to and are making progress.

[@jembawls]

Hey Mal! Sorry you’ve been having a hard time. You’re always welcome to come and go as you need/please.

[@nightblissGames]

it sounds like you did quite a lot in that month and, more importantly, learn a lot. so i wouldn't call that no progress!

[@macmartin86]

I'm struggling with the same problem, anxiety to start working/learning things, currently trying to pickup programming, it's a doozy.

[@jembawls]

Hang in there!

[@WOLFNightwolf]

I also do some game dev stuff largely in the learning area at this time but i wanted to give you some kind words on everything you've said if you care to read 00:20 "No progress" same just little bits of research 01:30 "wanted to see what level design would look like and cut scene/loading" same are you copying me am i copying you or is the workflow just similar haha I'm somewhat struggling to want to make progress because of the many hats involved, programming art, etc etc you know lol any advice in this area appreciated i get the sense its largely what I'm doing and just need to stick to and find what works for me 04:03 I didn't know you had to deal with this, i think to some degree i probably do too tho never diagnosed or anything, i wish you well and wanted to say from the outward internet appearance you can't even see it, sometimes you may seem to lack the energy but you always come across as kind and thoughtful, I'm looking forward to buying your game even if it's not a category I'd enjoy 4:50 i think thats half of my pie i struggle with the making models etc, and prefer programming and level design 09:30 if you need to drop the yt and stream stuff to not feel too in the spotlight with everything your achieving we understand and know you'll likely come back to it later 11:02 i consider you as good as say someone that works at blizzard you have the skill and are rapidly learning how to apply it to your own projects 13:15 i appreciate every word that came out of your mouth and learned some small things as well, also thats the ice cream emoji pillow :P 14:05 NUGGIES

[@heighRick]

Thanks Jace, helps a lot.

[@spedi6721]

First I thought you bought a Mercedes when you drew the circle. Then I thought you found a new partner. And I think I know what game you might work on. 😊

[@jembawls]

ooh I'd love to hear what your guess is!

[@tacklemcclean]

@@jembawls look we all know it's an open world survival crafting chicken nugget simulator it's too obvious

[@spedi6721]

@@jembawls Lizard Doggo Burger Bros!

[@KevlarGorilla]

It would be super convenient if the new game you're helping with would be the first one being shown? Wouldn't that be handy and useful for our purposes?

[@fsonetwork]

I feel you man.. my ADHD makes getting Unfamiliar Work harder to progress with x4.

[@radical_pi]

Thanks Jace, helps a lot! ❤

[@thomasmeslin8399]

Thanks Jace ! Helps a lot ! ❤️

[@Ripmav]

I will drop my guess on ASMR Food Experience 🤔 There is a demo and a Beta Playtest running. And planed release date for the prologue is in 2024. So I will put my money on this game. :D

[@jembawls]

ok ok, interesting guess :)

[@LordDecapo]

anyone else notice how epic Jace's circle was? aint no way he used a mouse, mine suck in paint XD lol

[@jembawls]

I used a mouse!! xD

[@LordDecapo]

​@@jembawls *insert spongebob circle tutorial* Lol

[@Kaenguruu]

Im sorry in advance if this is a bit of a rough generalization but can I imagine bipolar disorder like switching between being depressed and overhyped?

[@jembawls]

Basically. It’s a mood disorder where your moods swing from deep depression to manic/hypomanic episodes (depending on which BP you have) that last for a while.

[@wearwolf2500]

Life, uhh, happens

[@drizztcat1]

Hey Jace, just curious how good your Swedish is or if you get by with just English in Sweden. Keep pushing buddy!

[@IanTheWonderDog]

My first reaction was "Jace is working on Satisfactory again" even though I know that's not the case.

[@D34dP1x3l]

I thought the same thing, assuming they got him back for the 1.0 release. But he did say he has only been working on it for a month and they have been working on it for far longer...

[@spedi6721]

​@@D34dP1x3lwell, he didn't lie. He worked on 1.0 for a month. I'd still bet it's satisfactory😊

[@jembawls]

@@spedi6721 interesting guess, folks!

[@LustraGaming]

Oh my god, you are working with Frontier on Planet Coaster 2? Just a guess, but with an expected announcement I just figured 1+1=2.

[@dirtdart81]

Thanks Jace, helps a lot

[@roomie101]

I can understand feeling down about life, but you want some good news you did the past month? You got the golden mug in satisfactory! not many can say that, hell Snutt can't say that!!!

[@anttipekkap]

Much love from Finland ❤

[@robwaite1118]

So, Is 1.0 of Satisfactory dropping on Sunday 😜? I wonder if his friends he is working with are from Coffee Stain. That would be Awesome, but highly unlikely .

[@rekalty4477]

Appreciate you.

[@jembawls]

You too, Rek!

[@minimalobi]

So basically you made a lot of progress

[@Disorrder]

3:00 Oh, hello!

[@3lapsed]

Now that it's over I'm curious which game it was.

[@jembawls]

It was Among the Wild! (Sorry for the late response!)

[@IMarvinTPA]

Start with an Orc with a pie in a cave.

[@Xenotrickster]

Jace got a copy of 1.0 and is under NDA. What a beautiful jerk.

[@FizziBerry]

I’m watching while I make a grilled cheese 🫡🫡🫡‼️

[@jembawls]

MAKE EXTRA AND EAT IT FOR MEEE

[@FizziBerry]

@@jembawlsorders up!!

[@Garzini]

LoL @ the ASMR ending.

[@GastonDwarvenPilot]

You can do it Jace! Vaamonooooooss

[@Pevi70]

I think it's Satisfactory

[@sordis3309]

So it has been a year since you left Coffee Stains and I have to say, things are not looking good progress-wise. Now before you call me a hater, I am 100% on board with your solo gamedev journey and I wish you nothing but success! This is just my honest opinion based on what you show us. It seems like you've hit such a massive roadblock that the way you're dealing with it is avoid it by procrastination. Yes, in my view, taking on a new job is a form of procrastination. I'm going to assume here and I may very well be wrong, but the new job is giving you a sense of satisfaction that you are not getting from developing your own game. You are clearly struggling with your game so I think taking a bit of time off from it is a good move, but at the end of the day, it is time that you're not spending on your game. Of course you can spend your time however you want and obviously there's work that you don't show us, but I'm just reminded of the fact that a majority of people I've seen who get into solo dev front load their progress but then slowly lose momentum and eventually end up burning out. I hope this will not be the case for you. Considering it's been a year since you started, I hope the fire for your dream game hasn't died out because I would really love to play your dream game. Anyway that's just my honest opinion. Hope things go well for you and I'm looking forward to more devlogs!

[@jembawls]

Thanks for your honest and respectful feedback - much appreciated! The decision to take on the job is based on a lot of different things, but I will say for sure it is not as a means to procrastinate or gain satisfaction from something other than my game (as I had been struggling with it - lots of progress since though, will make a vid soon!). The decision to take the job was more of a timely one. The Nuggets folks were releasing soon and I had to choose if I wanted to be a part of that or not. It was also a financial one. Sponsorships are great and all, but they are also really intense, inconsistent, and stressful for me. So having a reliable source of income with very limited hours, doing something I am familiar with, with friends of mine, alleviates some of the pressure and buys me more time. Overall, in a vacuum, I'm not entirely happy with the progress I've made over the year on the game either. However, when I factor in that I've had the opportunity to work with cool people/orgs/studios, I get to be part of my friends' game's launch, that I have learned a lot about the inner workings of running a business, that I have for the first time ever earned my own monthly wage instead of dipping into savings, that I've been managing my mental health, and that I have shared a lot of great moments with my community (in videos or live streams) - I think the "progress" adds up. Sure, it slows me down in terms of getting to the finish line with my game, but I think overall it has made my life a little richer - which I think is more important. Again, appreciate your comment. Sorry for the wall of text, I'm just sharing a little extra because I appreciated your comment a lot. The fire for my game hasn't died out. It is hard for me to do it, and maybe I slow down here and there, but I am not giving up. Not even close. ❤️

[@Stephen-Jones]

Jace you need to wink the name of the game 😜

[@MrLeanki]

to the basement😯

[@gordon861]

So he's back working at Coffee Stain part-time? And version 1.0 is announced at the show?

[@aviinl1]

comment below

[@jembawls]

Thanks Avii, helps a lot!

[@husbym]

1.0?

[@disies]

blbl

[@pernesdumitru7233]

Slaking 😂😂😂 a bit ...lmao. This bipolar stuff and all this new stuff, was not around when i was younger it was called lazy 😂😂😂 to lazy get your ass beat up by your pareents. Instant recover 😂😂😂 get your shit together 😂😂😂

[@jembawls]

Yes it was around when you were younger unless you’re over 170 years old 😂 😂 😂 just because you weren’t aware of it doesn’t meant it wasn’t there 😂 😂 😂 L comment 😂 😂 😂