I Pivoted to Game Development
2 days ago
- The author pivoted from AI software engineering to game development due to passion and burnout from the unstable, hype-driven AI market.
- AI models like GPT-5.5 and Astra make game development more viable by handling Godot, Blender, asset generation, and audio, though animation remains a weak point.
- Games are seen as more resilient to AI disruption than business software, as they benefit from increased free time and serve as training environments for AI.
- The author is developing 'Hexborne,' a deck-based tactical brawler with tower defense and city builder elements, using an alternating activation system to mitigate issues like first-turn advantage in card games.
- Hexborne introduces a hidden information system with face-down card modifiers to encourage positive variance and player agency, inspired by Magic: The Gathering but with simplified timing rules.
- The game is 3 months into implementation with core rules, 100 cards, 3D environments, UI, AI, multiplayer, and a deck editor, but needs work on card art, animations, and campaign mode.
- The author plans to secure funding through a demo for publishers or crowdfunding, with a focus on hiring for card art and art direction to avoid AI-generated backlash.