The biggest lie in game dev

The speaker initially believed there were two types of game developers: those chasing commercial success and hobbyists making games for fun. However, this categorization is seen as harmful. After a previous video ranting about game development, many shared similar frustrations, but some comments revealed a deeper issue: the belief that certain advice is only for business-oriented developers. This creates a false dichotomy, leading new developers into an echo chamber.

A commenter suggested the speaker's previous video wasn't for them and implied they didn't care about money, which the speaker refutes. Despite having a successful channel, the speaker prioritizes gaining experience and making mistakes over selling courses or crowdfunding. This doesn't mean a lack of desire for success or money, but rather a different set of values. The core problem is the belief that advice is specific to either business or hobbyist approaches, when in reality, 'success' is never guaranteed for either.

The speaker argues that regardless of whether game development is a business or a hobby, success is uncertain, so enjoying the process is paramount. Many developers give up after their first game because they prioritize results over progress. The speaker shares personal anecdotes where they defied conventional advice (e.g., making puzzle games, not having a trailer for a store page, not localizing their game) and still achieved success with their games, 'Puddler' and 'Destropolis'.

While things could always be done better, the speaker emphasizes that figuring things out is part of the process. Blindly following all advice can lead to losing sight of what truly matters: doing what you love and gaining experience. Watching endless videos on 'how to make successful games' won't make one a better developer. The speaker encourages others to figure things out for themselves, sharing their perspective in hopes of inspiring critical thinking in the game development community.