This year was a good year
There’s a lot of ways you can look at it that make this year seem a lot more underwhelming than 2010. I was definitely a lot less productive, and there was no sudden huge leap in popularity like when I’d gone from “completely unknown” to where I am now at “not completely unknown.” That’s something that only happens once, obviously.
Mostly, this was a year where I learned a lot of things.
Last year I promised to release two major games in 2011, and I did, just barely; not the ones that I expected, either. The first was a dating sim called Love & Order in February, which I think, nearly a year later, I can admit is not really my best work. It’s not really my sort of thing, and I’ve learned a lesson about writing about things you don’t really care about: namely, don’t do it. Still, enough people seem to like it that it pays a lot of the rent most months, and I don’t feel too bad; it showed me that yes, with some more dedication and better ideas, I totally can actually do this as a living.
In April I released don’t take it personally, babe, it just ain’t your story, which despite suffering from some apparent problems with subtle, was sort of successful in starting some conversations on its subject matter. I got really awesomely parodied for it, and among other critical praise, a mention in the Telegraph as it being the best videogame script of 2011. So it’s hard not to be proud of that, at least.
And then… after that, I released absolutely nothing.
To use an understatement: this summer kind of sucked. I was living month-to-month for a while.
I’ve been working pretty much non-stop on Analogue for about five months now, making it by far the most work I’ve put into anything, and I hope it shows. I’m not going to say much about it now, because I’ll be doing a real announcement for it in a bit; it should be ready for release in January!
Anyway, here’s the reason why despite all that, having not much to show for work, why 2011 has unquestionably been my best year yet: Patricia.
…even if she can be a little bit mean.
Everyone on Twitter has probably heard me gush about her constantly—sorry. For a little perspective, I’ve never had a romantic relationship that’s turned out even slightly well. The last long-term relationship I was in was abusive, even. I’d never had a crush before, let alone fallen in love, and I was starting to worry that maybe I was just incapable of it entirely.
I’ll try not to babble, but suffice to say, I am totally in love with her. Meeting her was the best thing to happen all year, she’s the best thing in my life, and I can’t wait to be with her again.
Here’s to 2012. It can’t not be great.
