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Apologies for not checking the forum for a while...

Posted: Mon Apr 25, 2016 5:16 pm
by matt
Things have been crazy for me. The PlayStation port has been more complicated than I planned, and I actually started a new job (ie not at Infinitap). I can't say anything about what I'm working on, but I am really enjoying it and I am learning a lot. I am loving my job although I am a little sad to report that it has nothing to do with horror.

After the failure of Devastated Dreams, I felt pretty burned out. I was working on some other stuff (besides the port) that I was excited about, but I wasn't excited enough about it that I would be willing to do all the PR and everything necessary to bring an indie title to market. It felt weird to me because I came to the realization that so much of indie development was about marketing, which I don't really like doing. I was hoping to just focus on making games. We did that with Retro/Grade, and then no one even realized the game came out. :-/ I was looking for potential partners on the marketing/publishing side, but even that was work I didn't want to do.

I also wanted to reduce my worries so I can focus on being a great dad. Being a small business owner (especially in games) is extremely stressful, so it's nice that when I come home, I just have to worry about my son. (Well, right now, I'm worrying about the PlayStation version, but that should be done soon)

I feel like this is sounding like a sad post, but it is meant to be a happy one! I love my new job, I love being dad, and I honestly am loving the change of pace. I always have the option of returning to indie dev, but I really needed a break. I am working with Dan on bringing Neverending Nightmares to more platforms, and I may dabble with another project on the side, but I am really thrilled with my day job.

Even if every project I work on moving forward gets cancelled, I feel fortunate that I was able to say something important and personal with Neverending Nightmares to a wide audience. That isn't something every artist gets to say, so I feel blessed.

I want to thank you again for all your support, and I am happy to keep the forum open if you guys are still interested. :) I will try to check it more often. It has just been a crazy busy time for me being a dad and transitioning to the new job without being totally finished with the PlayStation port.

Also, feel free to email me directly if there is something on the forum that you want to draw my attention to or you just want to chat: matt _at_ infinitapgames.com

Re: Apologies for not checking the forum for a while...

Posted: Sun May 01, 2016 7:59 pm
by RightClickSaveAs
Good to hear things are going well, Matt!

The indie scene looks like a tough way to go, I mean on one hand there are so many avenues now, but on the other hand, there are a lot of things competing for people's attention. That's my armchair analysis anyway, I know although I love to find interesting new games, so many are coming at you lately that it's difficult to even keep up. On Steam alone, I don't even notice 50% of the new releases anymore.

Are you working in the game dev industry still, can you say?

I've not been stopping by much lately, I'm settling into a new-ish job still myself, and doing a lot of studying for some certification exams in hopes of getting ahead in said career path (I'm easing into the tech industry after a long detour away from it). Still, it is good to know the forum is still around, even if pretty inactive lately.

Re: Apologies for not checking the forum for a while...

Posted: Tue May 03, 2016 5:46 pm
by matt
Yeah, it is definitely hard when you are competing against so many other games for attention. It was tough when we release Retro/Grade, but it seems even tougher now...

I am actually working at Google on the Cardboard team, but I can't really say what I'm working on beyond that. All I can say is that I'm really excited about the work I'm doing, and it is a super fun project to work on!

Isn't the tech industry tough? It moves so fast that it's really hard to stay on top of everything. I am certainly learning a lot working at Google. :)

Re: Apologies for not checking the forum for a while...

Posted: Sat May 28, 2016 1:54 pm
by RightClickSaveAs
Oh wow that is awesome, congratulations! Google must be an incredible place to work for, I can only imagine what creative and technical things you're getting into over there.

Tech is definitely a challenge. I'm really just a help desk monkey right now, so I have a long way to go, but there's always something to keep up with.

Re: Apologies for not checking the forum for a while...

Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2016 5:01 pm
by matt
I am really enjoying working at Google. I was worried that it might not be my thing, but so far so good. They announced Daydream at Google IO, the new thing from the Cardboard team, so I think I can say I am working on that. :) I am excited about it at least!

Re: Apologies for not checking the forum for a while...

Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2016 1:05 am
by LobsterSundew
Congratulations on getting a job at Google.

I've been waiting to see the reviews for Google Daydream before investing in any new mobile VR headset. For now I have an inexpensive Leji VR Mini headset I've been using for viewing 360° videos and photos.
http://i.imgur.com/IQiAujZ.png

My brother has a BoBoVR Z4. That model is the current king of the cheap Chinese plastic headsets according to many redditors and review sites. The much wider field of view is very noticeable for improving the immersion.

Re: Apologies for not checking the forum for a while...

Posted: Sun Aug 28, 2016 7:13 pm
by RightClickSaveAs
Hey Lobster, how's the Kickstarter scene lately? I've pretty much stopped following it since Devastated Dreams didn't fund. That and the novelty has definitely worn off for me, and I'm focusing on other things lately.

Re: Apologies for not checking the forum for a while...

Posted: Mon Jan 02, 2017 8:51 am
by matt
Apparently, I am terrible at checking the forums now, but it turns out you don't have much free time with a 16 month old and a pregnant wife. :) Daydream has officially launched now, which is pretty exciting. If anyone has it, I'd be interested to hear your take! :)