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Hey Hey Retrospective

Hey so I was reading Terry’s annual review post, and found myself feeling a certain amount of goodwill towards the world after doing so, and was moved to think about my own year.

sub/conscious Modernauts Aesop Math Land

At the start of last year I was, okay, I think. Things were fine. I had a job, which was, more or less, humane. I was in the company of people I got along with, and I was making games in my own time. There was a certain harmony there.

Starfeld Wilde Jagd Sound Sound Comatease

Nonetheless, I was looking for other ways that I might be able to exist and make games. I settled on a large project I wanted to work on, and applied for a couple of arts grants. Foddy was of enormous help here, in both encouragement, and writing guidelines. There were other people I approached for advice as well on this topic, who were helpful. However, nothing came of it. I didn’t apply for too many – I could have put more effort in perhaps, but ultimately I’m okay with how things went.

Queue Could I But Express In Song The Combinatorial Genesis of Narrative Légende

So, plod plod plod plod plod plod bang crash come octobercrash what’s that we’re all being made redundant ah well. So it wasn’t all that sudden. I really admired what Dock, Terry, and others had gotten started in Cambridge. I had gotten in touch with them just before the company collapsed about moving down to be in their company, and they both were totally welcoming of the idea – Dock + bento smile in particular offered me the use of their spare room should I decide to move down while I looked for a place. Terry mentioned that his lease would be up soon, and he’d be looking for a place. It was a really tempting opportunity, but something of a leap, and not necessarily something sustainable.

Six Minutes of Broken Promises Holohoax Beating Off Crush Fetish Trilogy

I wasn’t able to bring myself to commit to anything though yet – I had so much crap, and not much cash, and it might have been possible to get another okay piece of paying work.

Islands The Terrible Whiteness of Appalachian Nights Blendings Atopoesis

When things finally collapsed, I decided to go with option A. Even if it went terribly, it would still be at least six months of doing something that is about the most worthwhile thing I can think of doing. I called up dock, told him I’d be down there in two weeks, and set about trying to move out of my place in Dundee. And so I would be going flat hunting with Terry. Sophie enters the scene at some point as a third party, who is a totally excellent individual.

Paddle Game Beatification hush Monopoint

At this time – I also looked at my bank balance and decided it would be expedient to ask for donations on my website. What came of that? Four-thousand pounds over the course of a week or so. Now, I knew it wasn’t going to be a reliable source of income – after a fortnight donations had more or less stopped. But that’s still six months of living expenses. Which, as gifts go, is a pretty good gift, and it means a lot to me. Thanks :)

Computer Aided Design Calcibrush Beat Blob Universe 100 Names

I ended up staying with Dock & Bento for a month while we found somewhere and waited to move in. Which is quite some time. So: thanks!

Brittle Paint Garden of Delights Fishing Game Constellation Z

And then we were settled in our wonderful flat.

whale of noise Bababada[...] Sad Forest parot

What do I do now?

The Clotted Island Ndueiwd Via Dolorosa Snowdrift

One of the opportunities that has been afforded to me now is that of working on a larger project – I have the time now. I tried starting two large projects while in full-time employment and I just couldn’t put in the time to bring them anywhere and they both died. So that’s weighing on my mind a little. I’m taking steps to see what I might do, but I am not committed to any particular project yet.

Serenade Lion Love Epicurus The Rose Garden

Jordan Magnuson‘s going to release a game soon about the kindness of others. Well, I’ve had a whole lot of people be really fucking nice to me this year. I try to help out other people where I can. I hate screwing up, but it happens sometimes. I just hope I haven’t fucked over too many people.

Increpare Arcade The Conspiracy of Tzetek Fierljeppen Fish Fry

There’re been lots of other people in my life this year as well, people in real life, people on the internet, people whose games I’ve played (I wouldn’t start a list, for fear of not being able to finish…I’ve played so many beautiful games this year – ), and people who’ve suffered through playing some of my nonsense.

Primitive Pattern Dirty Little Slut Box cascode

Oh, I’ve run out of things to say. I’ll have to get chattier next year, or make less crap.

Snip Activate the Three Artefacts and then Leave powahpaint Ditheroid

badda

Snowman’s Day Out Kettle Cities of Day and Night rush to find

bang

Octat Tyndall Mother Robot Detective Clean

boom

9 Comments

  1. Dock wrote:

    Happy New Year Stephen! Let’s make great things in 2011. :)

    Sunday, January 2, 2011 at 8:28 pm | Permalink
  2. Jonas wrote:

    Happy New Year! Looking forward to what new and crazy things you come up with this year.

    Sunday, January 2, 2011 at 8:38 pm | Permalink
  3. Radiatoryang wrote:

    4000? Whoa. You deserve it all though, don’t worry. Just keep being your excellent / productive self so I can steal your mechanics ideas and claim them as my own. Happy New Year!

    Sunday, January 2, 2011 at 9:19 pm | Permalink
  4. PsySal wrote:

    Great summary of your hear. I take it things are working out more or less for you folks in Cambridge which is fantastic. HNY!

    Sunday, January 2, 2011 at 10:53 pm | Permalink
  5. Ava Avane Dawn wrote:

    See you next year!

    Sunday, January 2, 2011 at 10:53 pm | Permalink
  6. SoulEye wrote:

    Hey man,

    Lovely meeting you in Cambridge! Have a great 2011! :)

    Monday, January 3, 2011 at 12:17 am | Permalink
  7. StephenM3 wrote:

    No matter how I may react to each of your projects, I’m always happy and interested to see another Stephen Lavelle creation pop up. Glad to hear you’ve had a good year, and still looking forward to see what more you’ll do.

    Monday, January 3, 2011 at 12:53 am | Permalink
  8. Ricky wrote:

    Happy 2011 dude! Long may the nonsense continue! x

    Monday, January 3, 2011 at 11:18 am | Permalink
  9. HybridMind wrote:

    I enjoyed reading your summary and looking at all the wonderful thumbnail pictures. I wish you good luck and good game dev in 2011!

    Wednesday, January 12, 2011 at 1:54 pm | Permalink