When I was around the age of 13th I had the feeling that I have to give something to the world, like I own something to it.
Enrolling in the computer science class in high school made me realize that I can create any kind of software and computer games I envision, giving that I have the necessary time, the precious time...
I developed a couple of games, during my free time in high school and college. These were only personal projects, either finished or not, never released to the public.
Once Windows Phone was out, I fell in love with its interface, the simplicity of the graphical user interface, the user experience was different than what I was used to. When the Windows Phone SDK was released for this platform, I knew I can fulfill my dream, and finally give something to the world, to others.
I was lucky of having learnt the dot net programming language, a language I still use to this day. I don't know why I have a preference for it, even in Unity.
Anyway, I got to work on a simple board game called 'Don't get Angry!'.
My idea was that this game could be played solo, against bots, but also up to 4 human players, by handing the phone to each player, one-by-one in each turn. I wanted to have a simple but relaxing background so I purchased a software which allowed me to build this 3D object, a wooden shack with a table. The board game would sit on the table.
My only regret with that software was that it was not compatible with Windows 8 or above, so I had to use it under Windows 7.
I managed creating the items for the game fairly easily. I drew the GUI textures, the board's texture, the 3D objects, the pawns were colored in solid colors. I don't remember where I got the sound effects from but I did my best to fit them to the theme of the game. The music was purchased from the great neosounds.com site. The game featured some other game modes, beside the classic one.
Creating the game for this platform was interesting, different than what I experienced up to that point. I was already a full-time employee at this point so development took about 9 months.
Once finished, I was happy and excited. Acquired the PEGI rating and published the game on the Windows Phone marketplace. I felt that my life's goal has been fulfilled, I was able to give something new to the other users of that platform. Something which I have created from scratch.
In the end, the game did not receive a lot of ratings of downloads, and the Windows Phone platform has also died, but I am glad I was a part of it.
I plan on creating other mobile games, on iOS and Android, using the Unity game engine. I believe this way I won't be that limited, I can realize my ideas, and provide the games to you.
The moral of this story is that you have to work towards achieving the goals you have. Life might surprise you, and make that goal true whatever it is.