3 ms·

Blender is an amazing piece of software. A few years ago I asked myself "Why spend hundreds of hours sucking at video games when I could spend the same time su

Blender is an amazing piece of software. A few years ago I asked myself "Why spend hundreds of hours sucking at video games when I could spend the same time sucking at Blender?" Since then I have spent many an enjoyable evening making terrible 3d models, some of which actually made it into a game. Apart from my lack of skill, there is no reason why somebody like me can't do world-class renders in a piece of software they downloaded for free. It isn't even that hard to use any more.

philjackson 2y ago
I agree - one of those bits of software you can't believe is free. I've also done some pretty terrible modelling, even my doughnuts suck.
- actionfromafar 2y ago
  Those are the best kind!
infinitebit 2y ago
I just recently had this revelation! I a full time software dev who has dabbled in game dev for years, but i’ve always given up on ideas because i can’t make “good” art/assets. just a couple of months ago it dawned on me that i love inept/amateurish/DIY/outsider art in most other mediums (except writing maybe) and decided to just put time into to awkward crappy looking models. and i love them! now i’m just trying to create a distinctive shambolic aesthetic for my tiny games. it’s so freeing.
- AndrewStephens 2y ago
  "distinctive shambolic aesthetic", what a great phrase. I use the friend of every hack fraud - "extreme stylization" to cover a multitude of sins. Somebody actually nominated my interactive fiction game for a best graphics ribbon, which amused me no end. I have often thought that we spend too much time studying and trying to emulate the great artists, musicians, and writers. It is more productive to see what the mediocre talents are doing, how their works succeed, and try to copy their techniques. Even if you fail you will find your own voice and produce something distinctive.
Daub 2y ago
> "Why spend hundreds of hours sucking at video games when I could spend the same time sucking at Blender?" Please come and repeat this in front of my students.

philjackson 2y ago

I agree - one of those bits of software you can't believe is free. I've also done some pretty terrible modelling, even my doughnuts suck.

actionfromafar 2y ago
Those are the best kind!

infinitebit 2y ago

I just recently had this revelation! I a full time software dev who has dabbled in game dev for years, but i’ve always given up on ideas because i can’t make “good” art/assets. just a couple of months ago it dawned on me that i love inept/amateurish/DIY/outsider art in most other mediums (except writing maybe) and decided to just put time into to awkward crappy looking models. and i love them! now i’m just trying to create a distinctive shambolic aesthetic for my tiny games. it’s so freeing.

AndrewStephens 2y ago
"distinctive shambolic aesthetic", what a great phrase. I use the friend of every hack fraud - "extreme stylization" to cover a multitude of sins. Somebody actually nominated my interactive fiction game for a best graphics ribbon, which amused me no end. I have often thought that we spend too much time studying and trying to emulate the great artists, musicians, and writers. It is more productive to see what the mediocre talents are doing, how their works succeed, and try to copy their techniques. Even if you fail you will find your own voice and produce something distinctive.

Daub 2y ago

> "Why spend hundreds of hours sucking at video games when I could spend the same time sucking at Blender?" Please come and repeat this in front of my students.