For the first time, after almost 15 years as a so called “grown-up software developer”, I have finally shared a game that I created with strangers.

I’ve always found it funny how game programming is seen as childish and quaint by so many “grown-up software developers”. For many years I was one of these people due mostly to peer pressure and the need for conformity, but I never truly believed it.

Combining real-time game programming skills (game loops, time-slicing, threading, AI) with the huge creativity required to generate game ideas, graphics, music, sound etc has got to be one of the hardest things to do in the entire world of software.

In my opinion, there are very few pastimes/careers other than game programming that provide the same test of your ability to switch continually from right-brain thinking to left-brain thinking for extended periods.

So everyone who has actually made a playable game (regardless of ratings) in this compo should be very, very proud!

It’s great that people have got some enjoyment from my game. But it’s the actual sharing of it and feedback that has given me real happiness.

Thanks Ludum Dare!

The amazing/crazy story behind the quote in the title.