This is mainly for the experienced publishers and authors of the site, but if you're not one, feel free to chip in if you have something to say anyway!

How do you deal with a crisis of confidence or doubts over what you are doing?

I've been having a ball with Stone Horizons, yet now it's getting closer to being viable i'm riddled with doubts over every little thing - and that's just getting the playtest document together. It seems the closer to completion it gets, the more little devils start perching on my shoulder.

Any tips or advice?

Never. You never get over it. I have run Iridium for 20 some years and I still find "Oh damn, that could be better". I also find those "Damn! I am clever" moments. I never trust a designer who says "I have done it! This system is perfect! Nothing can be improved!" These are the ones who cannot see fault in what they do. Now, I have been accused of that (both recently and for many years in the past) and confidence that you have presented a workable system, plan and approach should not be confused with over confidence.

So, what do you do? I find sharing the design with folks helps. Play testing helps. Being prepared with a revision system (web site errata, printed if you are going that way, news releases) helps. Taking a deep breath or two helps.

Hopefully, this helps.

Bill

ETA: It also helps to realize you are a dick. You are a game designer so there will ALWAYS be someone who knows better, especially about your system, goals, product, etc. So, it is not IF someone will find something wrong with your game, but WHEN. When it happens the important thing to understand is that about 50% of the time it will be their preference not a true fault in the system. For example, I have had lengthy "discussions" about how I "messed up" the Latin in the Roma Imperious title.

Quote from: HinterWelt;275058Never. You never get over it. I have run Iridium for 20 some years and I still find "Oh damn, that could be better". I also find those "Damn! I am clever" moments. I never trust a designer who says "I have done it! This system is perfect! Nothing can be improved!" These are the ones who cannot see fault in what they do. Now, I have been accused of that (both recently and for many years in the past) and confidence that you have presented a workable system, plan and approach should not be confused with over confidence.

So, what do you do? I find sharing the design with folks helps. Play testing helps. Being prepared with a revision system (web site errata, printed if you are going that way, news releases) helps. Taking a deep breath or two helps.

Hopefully, this helps.

Bill

What Bill said. This is your baby, and it's natural to feel this way. The panic always comes when you are almost done. You just have to go with it and release when you feel it's ready.

-clash

Quote from: HinterWelt;275058Never. You never get over it. I have run Iridium for 20 some years and I still find "Oh damn, that could be better". I also find those "Damn! I am clever" moments. I never trust a designer who says "I have done it! This system is perfect! Nothing can be improved!" These are the ones who cannot see fault in what they do. Now, I have been accused of that (both recently and for many years in the past) and confidence that you have presented a workable system, plan and approach should not be confused with over confidence.

So, what do you do? I find sharing the design with folks helps. Play testing helps. Being prepared with a revision system (web site errata, printed if you are going that way, news releases) helps. Taking a deep breath or two helps.

Hopefully, this helps.

Bill

ETA: It also helps to realize you are a dick. You are a game designer so there will ALWAYS be someone who knows better, especially about your system, goals, product, etc. So, it is not IF someone will find something wrong with your game, but WHEN. When it happens the important thing to understand is that about 50% of the time it will be their preference not a true fault in the system. For example, I have had lengthy "discussions" about how I "messed up" the Latin in the Roma Imperious title.

My performance anxiety has now ramped up even further!

It's a bit horrible to be working to a plan and building on foundations and then start doubting the whole structure. "My father built a castle in the swamp. First one sank, so he built another one. That one sank, so he built another one. That one burnt to the ground." (i know you like Monty Python references )

Quote from: flyingmice;275061What Bill said. This is your baby, and it's natural to feel this way. The panic always comes when you are almost done. You just have to go with it and release when you feel it's ready.

-clash

Yeah, i guess so. I felt the same way with each of my freelance jobs, but nothing like as intensely as this.

Art is never finished, it is just abandoned.  

Quote from: StormBringer;275197Art is never finished, it is just abandoned.  

My life is art! Unfortunately it's real shoddy art - Elvis in a suit of lights on black velvet shoddy.

-clash

Quote from: flyingmice;275207My life is art! Unfortunately it's real shoddy art - Elvis in a suit of lights on black velvet shoddy.

-clash

I think that is a group attack on velvet painters.  Good luck on getting art for your next game, mister, those guys are the fucking Mafia of the art world.  You will be blacklisted by tomorrow.  

What clash said...

I think there is always a "can't see the wood for the trees" going on with any project that takes more than a few hours. My academic work was the same. It's only when you get something out there and show it to other people that you start feeling that it's all worth while.

For some reason, after i posted this thread, i had a burst of creativity and completed the Stone Horizons playtest document.

I used to have creative-anxeity, but no longer. I do the best I can do, and I always look back and think I could have done it better. And there is no end to the number of gamers who leap forward and assure me that I am right - "You could have done better." The problem is the advice is often so conflicting that I end up like a dog chasing its own tail, trying to please everyone. In short, publish your game for *you*. It sounds selfish, but in this hobby it's the safest path to self-fulfillment and it will help you maintain your sanity (if it isn't lost already ).

Who's putting up the money to print it?