BossKey - AAA Games or Indie Game Dev

The issue and for choosing between AAA or Indie Game Dev. This was talked about in Trent Kaniuga YouTube Video. I really resonated with it as I began my Indie Game Dev Journey last year 2024 proper.

Some things I got out of the video:

Being an Employee

Being an Employee you have to be a chameleon like rango. Adapting to the style and workflows of the company.

You have to be on brand. Use the same color schemes. Same Tropes. The audience will get annoyed if you try to change direction.

Turning the existing wheels

The business probably found some success in a few products and it’s your job to keep serving more of the same food 🍱

I looked at being an employee but it’s mostly to keep an existing business running notion wrong with it and you can be creative in a small way.

Risks are lower generally for you you will get paid and have nothing else to worry about the business except deliverables.

Being an Indie

In Indie you have to be a Hawk always moving and adapting. You are responsible for your Next meal but you get to choose what to eat not when.

Unlimited creativity and unlimited responsibility.

That is what it comes down to a lot of potential but a a lot of risks. Sometimes some that thread this path don’t make it.

Find a Model

Indie You need a model or follow e.g. follow what Otomo did or Toriyama or (Insert Game Dev)

There is lots more room to explore and experiment.

But the risks are higer than working for the company. With a steady paycheck and insurance. You are just not stimulated creatively.

Thoughts 💭

I used to want to work in Lucasfilm / Lucasarts but did not make it slowly I went to work in IT instead. From afar I watched as the studio closed and game studios go through turmoil. The Indie space also did not fared as well lately.

There was No Stability.

Harvey newman talked about the games industry plights and the setbacks it might be not a good time to work in both Indie or AAA.

There is No right or wrong what you want to do. I started CG BOSS Games in 2022-2023 learning unity, unreal and trying to understand game dev and trying to see if i can make a business out of it.

I do believe in Overalpping might be the key to this though slower and not as fancy. But using the Day Job as a base and exploing making games might be the way forward for now espicailly if you are older.

Video References:

Trent Kaniuga

Harvey Newman talks about creators in games can take it further in the indie space.