Full Time Game Dev Julian Ball: Releasing His 8 Year Dream Game (& How It Went), Staying Motivated, Burn Out | Ep. #049
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Jul 8, 2025 Julian Ball, a dedicated game developer from Switzerland, recounts his eight-year journey creating Len's Island. He shares the emotional rollercoaster of transitioning from single-player to multiplayer, navigating burnout while staying motivated. Julian opens up about how personal struggles fueled his creativity, the intricacies of game aesthetics, and the challenges of collaboration. He also reveals impressive launch numbers and offers insights into promoting a successful game release, all while encouraging aspiring developers to persevere in their creative endeavors.
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Julian's Buzz Cut Crunch Habit
- Julian buzzed his head during peak crunch to avoid haircuts and as a sign of stress.
- Despite intense crunch, he maintains health by running and eating better, balancing workload and wellbeing.
Revive Passion Through Breaks
- Fall out of love with your project is normal; take breaks and work on smaller side projects to reignite passion.
- Moderation and separation help refresh your view and restore motivation for the main game.
Work Your Passion Forte
- Focus on the part of your project that aligns with your strengths and passion to regain love for it.
- Use sensory inputs like music and film to inspire and immerse yourself while working on your forte.