Lost interest?

Discussion in 'Discussion and Q&A Archive' started by redhotsonic, Nov 12, 2011.

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  1. redhotsonic

    redhotsonic Also known as RHS Member

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    Again, I'm getting to that point where I just can't be assed to work on my hack. I ask myself questions like, what's the point? I'm 22, I've got better things to do with my life. And it's not as if I'm going to make any money out of it after I've finished making the game.


    What's the point in learning so much ASM for coding a Sonic game when it's out of date? I'm better of learning coding for making Androids games or something so I could make money. Also, I see many hackers now releaing their hack and not many people caring after.


    I was wondering, does anyone else ever feel like this? Also, what do you do to get back into hacking? Is it really worth it?


    EDIT: I've put it in the Q&A subforum as I am asking a question =P
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Nov 12, 2011
  2. Animemaster

    Animemaster Lets get to work! Member

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    I do feel that sometimes hacks don't get the attention they deserve(not many people providing feedback, not getting noticed), I do sometimes forget to do this, but get to it at some point. I do think sometimes, I should really do something more useful. But while in between looking for work and kinda sorting my life out, I have quite alot of spare time, and too be honest I like hacking sonic and creating new things its remaking my child hood in away and after all I find it FUN. If I had enough and lost the effort then sure, but I would like to at least make a fairly decent/complete hack before I completely throw in the towl. Plus I keep getting so many ideas for fun that i'd like to do, so at the moment I've got the drive, sometimes I need a break from it too.


    That said when I eventually get hired, I'll stop hacking so much because my life will be moving forward, but hey its not doing much so I might as well try and have fun and to be honest, hacking the sonic games is one of fun things I like doing. ( I do other things of course) At the end of the day RHS, if you don't want to hack any more then don't. Who knows, you may one day come back to it or not. If you've lost that fun aspect of it, then its fair enough not to do it anymore. This to me is just a bit of harmless fun in my spare time.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Nov 13, 2011
  3. redhotsonic

    redhotsonic Also known as RHS Member

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    That's what I did now. I went off hacking for a couple of years and then I came back for it and I felt in the mood again. But I've lost that mood again verey quickly. I am wondering how do people stay in the mood for hacking?


    I do get good ideas from time to time and that normally gives me my drive back. But editing level layouts and etc are quite boring to me now and that's what has put me off I suppose. I quite like ASM editing, but I've done pretty much everything now, from Sonic bursting into enemies, to making my very own boss.
     
  4. Rezeed

    Rezeed Dataspirit and Dream Traveller Member

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    There's a lot of fun that can be found making sonic games. The beauty about ASM, is you can turn it into a fully original game be evolved and presented globally. While it may be "out of date", it still gives you experience and practice for other things. If you are worried about losing interest in what you like. Look around for inspiration. Try playing different types of games for ideas for level design.


    If you try getting better exposure to the hacks, more people get interested.
     
  5. Spanner

    Spanner The Tool Member

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    I can definitely say that I've lost interest. I did want to make my own hack of some sort, but I just could not be bothered to learn most of the tricks of the trade, including art and layouts. My programming side was pretty basic and whilst I managed to work on a few things myself (such as different music for every act in Sonic 2) and porting the Knuckles object to Sonic 2 (even though it was broken), I just wasn't going to get to the level that some people are at today. Hell, I don't specifically mean those who end up becoming Tech Members on Retro, there are a few people on here with impressive skills.


    Music is a different story. I put my import skills to good use when I contributed to a few hacks and collaborated with Tweaker for a shitload of songs in Sonic Boom. Even then, importing something today is a rare thing. My way of handling things is pretty crappy and I can't figure out how to do things better. Sure, I'll work on a track if someone wants me to, but right now I don't see myself importing anything for fun right now.


    I have more important things to work on anyway, including the next Hacking Contest.
     
  6. OrdosAlpha

    OrdosAlpha RIGHT! Naebody move! Root Admin

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    I lose interest and shelve shit for months. Then I'll get the notion and defrost it, do some work and then lose interest again. The cycle just repeats.
     
  7. SuperEgg

    SuperEgg I'm a guy that knows that you know that I know Member

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    Like everyone else here, I have the same sentiment. I get the feeling of wanting to hack, then when I get to it, I try testing shit out, it doesn't work quite right, I keep going at it until I have it. Once I'm done with that ONE thing, I stop. Get the "Fuck it" mind set then shelf whatever I'm working on. TBH, I don't think I've ever lost interest in Sonic hacking itself, but the actual hacking is what I sometimes lose interest in. I'll sit there in class and instead of doing work, I'll be working on some concept art and ideas for a hack that I probably would never be able to implement at skill level I'm at now. Also, like everyone else has stated, shit gets real. Life in High School is a bitch, especially when you are graduating in June and you are stressing to the max with work and other shit like no other. Hell, I'm supposed to be working on 3 different hacks right now, but due to the fact I'm literally drowning in school work, there's not much I can work on. But back to the point, have I lost interest? I don't think so, I don't think about half the people on here have either, I think it's just the actual work needed to hack is what people lose interest in.
     
  8. TheJeli

    TheJeli Umm... Member

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    I always wanted to do this, that, and the other with my hack but because I'm a n00b at hacking I couldn't.


    I always found fan games aren't as restricting as ROM hacks and easier to make things like music and cut-scenes.
     
  9. MarkeyJester

    MarkeyJester ♡ ! Member

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    Losing interest? You know what that means right? It means you're getting bored and maybe you'd like to:


    RAISE THE BAR


    Have you considered that instead of working on one main project, you should work on multiple side projects? I stopped working on BroTro because the amount of work required to create a fully functional game, takes quite a bit of time, and in the end it feels like you haven't really accomplished much. I started making several mini hacks, some with more efforts than others:


    Jester's Challenge


    Sonic 1 50hz Faster Edition


    Sonic 1 ¡D3LSIML~TWISTED!


    Pana Der Hejhog


    Other members around do the same thing, CollinC10 for example has:


    Robotnik's Revenge


    S3K the challenges


    Sonic 1 and 2


    Sonic VR


    Cinossu too has done his fair share of side projects which include:


    Sonic 2 Reversed Frequencies (I think he did this one)


    Sonic 1 @SAGE2011/Retro Channel


    SonMP3 (although not a hack, is still moderately related)


    Sonic 1 OmoChao Edition


    Sik:


    Sonic 3D no flickies


    Sonic 3D Super Sonic


    There are quite a few other members who have done some short but amazing things, and I do believe you'll find it in best interest to do the same, it's a lot more fun, and the results (if done correctly) can be brilliant and a real suprise for the community to play.


    Of course, I'm not saying you should quit your main project, heck I still work on my game, Marc no doubt still works on his hack from time to time, what I'm saying is, creating a mini project based around something awesome is a good break and is very productive in nearly all directions.
     
  10. Animemaster

    Animemaster Lets get to work! Member

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    This is partly why I stop working on Revelations and started work on my mini project. Unfortunately things even though a mini project, don't quite go as planned. (My hack is way over due a release)
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Nov 14, 2011
  11. redhotsonic

    redhotsonic Also known as RHS Member

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    That's not a bad idea, MJ. I do have one idea that I could try. The only thing is, I've got to get motivated to do that also. =P
     
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