Quick update, I block ……

Quick update, I block ……

” // I didn’t know what this code did, and it was CVS conflicting, so I deleted it. -”

(the part deleted was about 800 lines of network code)

Need I say more?

-J

I thought you’d have some communication with the folks you work with, but I guess not. Of course, that makes the garage thing next to impossible. At the end of the day, it’s really a balance and accepting “reality” (whichever that may be). There are folks out there who are getting paid tons of $$$, but hate their jobs and their lives, folks who get paid next to nothing, but are happy with their lives, then those who are somewhere in the middle.

By “reality” I mean:
1.) Have a family, and thus have other obligations (like bills, etc)
2.) Timing … you’re ready to jump ship, but there’s no where to go.
3.) Location … you’re not too thrilled about work, but you like the city you live in because of friends, or other reasons
4.) Everything is in sync … except you can’t really afford to move (but the “option” of saving up $$$ until you can is there).
5.) For whatever reasons, you’re simply stuck where you are … and have to face the music
6.)

At the least, there’s no one forcing you to stay where you are at (at least, I hope not!), so you always have the option of leaving to find a job that meets your requirements and needs. Of course, just up and leaving and moving elsewhere is a lot easier said than done, but it’s not impossible if you really want to do it … though “reality” can make it impossible despite how you feel … 8P

I believe the real issue for a lot of us are these things.

For starters, there is little to no communication with coworkers. Plus everyone is so busy. Doing a garage game in the spare time is something that becomes less and less likely as one is involved with the actual job and some social life.
Wouldn’t it just be great if one could do a job he/she likes ? After all, we are in this business because we wanted to do something we liked ! ..to have to look outside a game company to do games just doesn’t make sense.

Are there any other folks @ your company that want to do something more than tetris? If there are, why don’t you guys try to come up with an idea for a game, while it’ll be painful, work on it on the side (if time allows) then when you have a decent enough prototype, just show it to your masters … er … bosses. 8P

It may or may not “open their” eyes, but at least you can say, “I tried” as you quit and move on to something better. 8P

Another approach is to possibly start working on a demo that’ll show off your skills and consider “taking your toys” elsewhere.

In all honesty though, the life of a game programmer in Japan isn’t necessarily glamourous (unless perhaps you’re one of those highly paid folks on the FF teams) … Perhaps M$ Japan has something for you?

I’ve also heard about people making a lot more $$$, but not making games. If you want to stay in Japan, then it’s probably a good thing to start considering the “alternatives” in terms of employment. I.e., making tons of $$$ doing boring work, but not working late and having a life (to work on personal projects, etc).