While I very much like talking about game design I get really uncomfortable when people seek out my approval specifically1 as if I'm some kind of game design celebrity. From my POV it's been years of quiet work since I first released my one and only game (the Tynk! demo) and idolizing me at this point feels more like a testament to my branding than anything else.
Like I'm proud of my game and I like it a lot but it's not out yet! And the mechanics of it have changed in feel considerably, so it feels disengenuous to assume you should look up to me just because Tynk! is a "potential indie darling".2
Most of the time I talk with people it goes fine but sometimes it can't help but feel like people think theres a chance I could end up in the spotlight and they want to "invest early".
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This does not apply to friends theres nothing uncomfortable about exchanging ideas with people I actually speak to.
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Not my words.