Start Here | About | Vertexpusher

Start Here | About

“Desire is the starting point of all achievement, not a hope, not a wish, but a keen pulsating desire which transcends everything”.-Napoleon Hill

About This Site

Hi, I’m Tomasz, thanks for stopping by. This site like many other things in my life is another experiment. A muse that needs to be filled. A challenge that needs to be taken. The dream has reached a tipping point and procrastinating is no longer an option.

Recently I’ve decided to take some time off from my regular day job and see if I can sustain myself as an indie game developer. The definition of what that means exactly will evolve over time but my hope is to create a series of small games on consistent basis, experiment with different game designs, business models and publishing methods to see how feasible it is for a solo indie game developer on a low budget to sustain himself. I will use this site to chronicle my progress, report any insights and revelations I encounter and hopefully in the process make some awesome games.

Inspiration for the Idea

After finishing my last project, I did some travel. I landed in Bali then flew into Singapore, from there I took buses and trains through Malaysia, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and Southern China. Throughout the trip there was a reoccurring theme which I kept noticing. “The small art shop”. The setup is simple, the space small, one of the characteristics is that it’s loaded with art, often the art spills to the outside storefront. But the most important characteristic about them is an artist somewhere deep inside, painting his next masterpiece. I imagine he does this everyday, comes in, does the work, if he runs out of space to place his art, he might give it away or perhaps sell it at a discount, he then adds his new work to the collection and repeats the process. I found that interesting and thought to myself how I can apply that to my work. Hence this experiment. I’ll take some time out from my regular job. Focus on showing up to do the work. Release something on consistent basis and see if it proves sustainable in a long run.

Some Fun Possible Outcomes From This Experiment:

Tomasz gets half way through making a game. Realizes that it’s taking way too much time and resources and is forced to find another gig to support himself.
Tomasz manages to finish a game but the game doesn’t do too well and he needs to go back to a 9 to 5er.
Tomasz discovers that game development is way to hard, quits and does something completely different instead.
Tomasz makes a small game that sells enough to make another game.
Tomasz makes a game that sells millions and then he pretends it wasn’t about the money.

Action Plan

Initial stages will involve some preparation and skill upgrading. Over the last several years I’ve been a level designer. My tasks were very specific. Which naturally led to some skills to go stale. In order for me to feel comfortable in releasing something I will be happy with I’ll need to focus on upgrading some of those skills.
My rough plan is to start cloning some of the common mechanics we see in games as a way to beef up my coding chops and at the same time to create a database of game mechanics which I can tap into later on when its time to create something more solid.
After initial planning and upgrading period I will focus on creating several small games and try to release them on different app stores and online channels. Experimentation will be the key there as its not something I have much experience with. Initially I will have to keep things small as I don’t really have the resources to spend long amounts of time on any given project.
At some points I might have to fall back on some Freelance Projects to make sure I’m able to keep going. My focus will always be on sustainability first and foremost. I think I have about a year to prove whether indie game dev is viable vocation for me before I might have to start hitting the emergency exit button strategy.

Extra Facts About Me.

Lead Level Designer on Alice Madness Returns
Level Designer on American McGees Grimm
At some points I’ve taught game design, 3D and animation courses.
I only read digital versions of books.
I don’t watch TV.
I gave up driving a car nine years ago and don’t miss it at all.
I hate meetings and I hope I never have to attend one again in my life. Ever!.
I’m a minimalist with blasts of extreme maximalism.
I try to produce more than I consume on daily basis.
I speak Polish, English and basic Mandarin.
I’ve moved 18+ times in my life and will probably move some more.
12 years in Poland, 10 years in Canada, and 9 years in China.
I’m not attached to any one place in the world. Borders are just a way to inconvenience me.