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| 08.26.2007Games are like groceries, but better
Earlier this year I lived in France, which is a beautiful country, by the way. For any French citizen living inside a town (every town is marked by signs on the road), it is possible to wake up in the morning and walk across the street to buy a warm loaf of bread and some milk. Though it is astonishing that someone not much different from yourself can buy groceries in such a homely manner, this does not conclude my anecdote.
No, in fact, I'd like to point out that the owner of a shop through which you could make such a purchase lives a fine example of stable entrepreneurship. The man makes a decent living and is probably happy with life, but again, his lifestyle and values are not what I wish to point out.
See, the man is his own man. -- He is the President and CEO. He is an independent grocer and doesn't look back. No, but really, he doesn't expect to get rich -- and thats what I want to point out.
I'll tell you, I wouldn't mind being rich, but being worried about wealth is something completely different. If you are walking the tight rope, and you look down, its only going to help you fall. -- And by fall, I mean feel really crappy. That constant paying attention to the what-ifs permeates American culture. I'd blame the media, but that would be passe.
The way I see it, game makers are a special breed though. They are smart, tough, and excited. The excited part is the most important if you ask me. I think they have something to learn from Mr. Grocer though -- something that has been sapped out by a funny culture. Its that making a living with extremely cutting-edge skills as your own man is possible and its easy.
Now, what I'm not saying is that its possible or easy to start up a "Game Development Company." No. What I am saying is that any skill can be marketed as a service. Game developers have lots of skills, which means they have lots to market. Not just that, but they are rare skills too.
Now, what I'm also not saying is that game devs should make a run for the border and start working in other industries. No. (Though speaking from personal experience, a game programmer would probably make 50% more working outside of the industry) What I am saying is that there are a lot of other possibilities than working at some kind of game company or founding your own.
Really I'm just saying that because you are reading this you probably have a lot more to offer the world than you realize. Also, you can use those skills in a lot more ways than you probably realize. And also that you should sometime in your life go to France to have some bread -- its really better there.-Chase Adams
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