Aspiring Game Designer with ADD trying to Focus D:

[cindy]

I am at the middle of an Engineering College right now (Industrial Automation and Control), but what I really want to do is work with games.

There isn't a good Game Development course where I live, online courses are too expensive, so I gave up on a degree in game development.

But I really, really want to work with games. I am passionate about it, and some friends say my articles about game design are quite good.

So, I really want to make small, indie games to build up my portfolio, I know this is important and that it would be quite good for me. But I have attention deficit disorder, so for me it is VERY difficult to stay focused on a project for time enough to complete it.

Yes, I am planning to take some meds and do some therapy to help me with ADD, but I wanted something to help me with making games as well. You know, I like pretty much everything related to games... I like to draw, to model, to program... but the part I excel at is game design, I suppose ( it's certainly not drawing or modelling, as I am starting these things only now ). So I can make a simple game alone, but my mind gets lost whenever I try - like I said, for me it is pretty hard to focus on a single project for long enough to finish it.

I'd consider an online course if they weren't so expensive, because the "I have to do this because my teachers are gonna ask for it" would help me stay focused

Because this isn't a possibility, does anyone have a good advice?

I could ask for a good book for an aspiring game designer, but this alone won't be of much help, I need something to really focus on - like a project.

I want to try making a game for Experimental Game Play, but I don't feel so confident about my skills right now.

I don't know, is there any sort of group of "hey, let's make a game this week"? I don't know, a good group to give me challenges perhaps?

Thank you guys for any advice
And I am really sorry for any grammar erros! >_<

[tsloper]

Originally Posted by cindy

I have attention deficit disorder, so for me it is VERY difficult to stay focused on a project for time enough to complete it.
...like I said, for me it is pretty hard to focus on a single project for long enough to finish it.

That's a big problem, since you aspire to work in an industry that demands focus for long periods of time.
For now, just continue working with your doctor to try to get your condition under control, and continue working on your education, and do a lot of reading. And I have some suggestions for design-related things you can do at http://sloperama.com/advice/lesson12.htm

[Slather]

I can't give any advice, but I'm in a similar situation. I'm almost positive I have mild ADD, but my psychiatrist thinks its depression that's causing my ADD symptoms (I think its the other way around).

Anyway, I now have two unfinished "prototypes" because its difficult to focus on the same project (with all the tedious chores involved) long enough to complete. I feel like if I had someone to develop with, we could keep each other focused by relying on one another, and encouraging the other to stick with it.

If you're interested in talking with me about game design ideas or possibly collaborating, my email is on the front page at my site (www.soulcraftgames.com). If you looking for projects that need help, see the "Collaborate" forum here, or the "Help Wanted" forum at GameDev.net, or the forums at TIGSource.org.

By the way, your grammar is great. Good luck!

[cindy]

Originally Posted by tsloper

That's a big problem, since you aspire to work in an industry that demands focus for long periods of time.
For now, just continue working with your doctor to try to get your condition under control, and continue working on your education, and do a lot of reading. And I have some suggestions for design-related things you can do at http://sloperama.com/advice/lesson12.htm

Yes, I know this is a big problem, but I am confident I will eventually have this under control - I already am pretty good sometimes, or I wouldn't have gotten so far on my college

I am reading a lot. I love your site, I've been there countless times xD But now that you mentioned it, I am looking at your list of recommended books :)

Thanks for the advice.

Originally Posted by Slather

I can't give any advice, but I'm in a similar situation. I'm almost positive I have mild ADD, but my psychiatrist thinks its depression that's causing my ADD symptoms (I think its the other way around).

Anyway, I now have two unfinished "prototypes" because its difficult to focus on the same project (with all the tedious chores involved) long enough to complete. I feel like if I had someone to develop with, we could keep each other focused by relying on one another, and encouraging the other to stick with it.

If you're interested in talking with me about game design ideas or possibly collaborating, my email is on the front page at my site (www.soulcraftgames.com). If you looking for projects that need help, see the "Collaborate" forum here, or the "Help Wanted" forum at GameDev.net, or the forums at TIGSource.org.

By the way, your grammar is great. Good luck! :)

Hi :) Try a doctor that treats more kids, they usually have more experienced with ADD. I've also been diagnosed with depression, altough I probably was depressive at some point too.

I have tried to work with others, but this didn't help me feel motivated... I don't know, I always was more of a lone wolf so I tend to feel more annoyed about other people than anything else. I mean, there are some good friends that like to make games too, but every time we try a game, I don't know, it just doesn't work.

I will try to frequent this forum and the TIG source one, perhaps. Maybe I can find an answer out there ^^~

[tsloper]

Originally Posted by cindy

I already am pretty good sometimes, or I wouldn't have gotten so far on my college

Yep. Just keep on keepin' on. The tortoise won the race with the hare that way.

[kbaxter]

Keep an eye out for events like Global Game Jam (http://www.globalgamejam.org/) where you can spend all weekend making a game, and have to present it to everyone at the end. It's really surprising how motivating something like that is, and how much you can get done.

Around Boston where I live, there are fairly regular smaller creative-jam events like this, which some indie game developers, artists, film-makers, and writers participate in. Maybe there's something similar near you?

[zoraxbrooks]

i have ADD to, one thing that helps me is to get an idea, and just keep working on it, so you know exactly what your making. if you make the game whilst still not knowing what kind of game it is,it might disapoint you in the end. also, try not to think its gonna be the best thing ever made. because if it isnt as good as you lmagined it, you might feel like you just waisted your time on a peace of crap, whether it is or not.

dont turn this into a fanboy battle,please. but im something of a fan of halo, and when i saw the new forge in reach i was exited about it verry mutch. but because of my exitement & imagination, i imagined it better than it actually was. when i finally got to play it, it felt old & boring. when i got halo 3,on the other hand, i wasn't expecting somethings. when i got it i was overjoyed, it felt new and fun because i hadnt heard about forge early enough to imagine it much.
same with little big planet, it felt less awsome playing than watching all the videos for it.

[Joe2]

Originally Posted by cindy

I am at the middle of an Engineering College right now (Industrial Automation and Control), but what I really want to do is work with games.

There are game degrees at many Engineering colleges! Computer Science and Computer Engineering are both applicable degrees to the video game industry, and are considered engineering degrees. Just because a college isn't a video game college, and just because the college doesn't have a video game course, you aren't excluded from relevant video game degrees. Also, make sure you get your 2-year degree.

What college are you at, by the way?