4 ms·

As a computer games development student, this feels very relevant to me (as, I'm sure, it does to other software developers). Even a project I'd like to do, on

As a computer games development student, this feels very relevant to me (as, I'm sure, it does to other software developers). Even a project I'd like to do, on my own, for a week, is very hard to finish. There never really seems like there's a point to polish after I've learned what I wanted to learn. I'm battling this literally as I write this comment - this is only another way to procrastinate. I find keeping rigid office hours helps, as does keeping in mind that this project or that will look good in a portfolio, or might bring in some cash. Really, though, it's just damned tough to continue something that you view as finished. The next games project I start will be rather boring to code, but hopefully fun aesthetically. That way, I'll concentrate more on the second 90%, but getting past the first 90% might be harder than usual. If you've got any tips for surviving the second 90% of a project, I'd love to hear them. My short attention span coupled with my low focus really makes it difficult to finish anything, and it's getting me down.

NoItAll 15y ago
It could be that programming is not for you. (Prove us wrong.) It could be that you need the code for later projects. (You can create a toolkit and restart a project you intend to finish.) Personally, I've worked on at least 50 software titles. For my own, I've finished about half. That's normal. A driving game in Flash was fun, but too derivative of SpyHunter... but I did get the animation routines completed. For work, all projects must be completed on-time and under budget. This one is easier: if I don't finish, I'm screwed and my reputation as a developer would suffer. Each project has a 'ball'. If you keep your eye on the ball, put on some music and wrap it up.
eru 15y ago
Have you tried releasing early? As soon as you get some people who are actually using your stuff, and if only trying an early demo, you probably have more motivation to finish it.
JabavuAdams 15y ago
As a computer games development teacher ... :) There are ups and downs, and one gets used to dealing with them. It's just practice. One of the most motivating things is to get positive feedback -- both from shipping features, and from human contact. I always have times where I'm in a rut ... I don't want to work on the project ... but someone sees it and they think it's cool. Or maybe I get away from it for a few days, then look at it with fresh eyes and get re-motivated to fix just one more thing... Also, you can use procrastination to your advantage. Don't play games or surf to procrastinate. Instead if you're burnt out on project A, switch to project B, or set up a server, or write a script, or exercise, or play music, or read a math book (I'm giving away my preferences). Anything to recharge or to make progress on something else that needs to be done.

NoItAll 15y ago

It could be that programming is not for you. (Prove us wrong.) It could be that you need the code for later projects. (You can create a toolkit and restart a project you intend to finish.) Personally, I've worked on at least 50 software titles. For my own, I've finished about half. That's normal. A driving game in Flash was fun, but too derivative of SpyHunter... but I did get the animation routines completed. For work, all projects must be completed on-time and under budget. This one is easier: if I don't finish, I'm screwed and my reputation as a developer would suffer. Each project has a 'ball'. If you keep your eye on the ball, put on some music and wrap it up.

eru 15y ago

Have you tried releasing early? As soon as you get some people who are actually using your stuff, and if only trying an early demo, you probably have more motivation to finish it.

JabavuAdams 15y ago

As a computer games development teacher ... :) There are ups and downs, and one gets used to dealing with them. It's just practice. One of the most motivating things is to get positive feedback -- both from shipping features, and from human contact. I always have times where I'm in a rut ... I don't want to work on the project ... but someone sees it and they think it's cool. Or maybe I get away from it for a few days, then look at it with fresh eyes and get re-motivated to fix just one more thing... Also, you can use procrastination to your advantage. Don't play games or surf to procrastinate. Instead if you're burnt out on project A, switch to project B, or set up a server, or write a script, or exercise, or play music, or read a math book (I'm giving away my preferences). Anything to recharge or to make progress on something else that needs to be done.