That feeling of accomplishment after finishing something/why I love Ludum Dare
I'm certain a lot of people here understand this feeling. It's hard to stay motivated and dedicated to a project for too long. You feel the initial rush of excitement after starting a project and you start working, but over time that feeling wears down. On some days you don't even feel like working on it. Sometimes the initial rush of adrenaline and excitement floods back, but over time it's like the two counterweight each other on the emotional balance inside of us.
The feeling of never completing anything can be crushing and demotivating, contributing to the lack of motivation that causes the problem in the first place.
~~What is a line tool?~~
But then comes Ludum Dare. It gives you a clear goal and a deadline. The short time you have to make your game is enough to keep you motivated throughout the whole development cycle. And afterwards you can look back and say "I finished a game." And not only that, but you have a chance to get your game noticed and commented on by other people. As small as the game may be, you fully finished it through work and dedication and people talk about it.
It's why I love Ludum Dare. Not only the cheerful spirit of indie gamedevs coming together and having a good time programming and playing others' games, but also the personal effect it has on you.
My game, A World In Her Eye, is the first thing I made in quite a while that I'm actually proud of, so...
Thanks to those behind the jam and everyone participating in it making it the special thing that it is.
https://ldjam.com/events/ludum-dare/44/paynplayne