I've toyed with the idea of making the jump from a game player to a game developer for awhile now but I always talk myself out of it at some point. No longer will the voices in my head that tell me I shouldn't, dictate how I'm spending my free time! I have a creative itch that needs scratched. I've enjoyed gaming since I was a young child beating on the Nintendo Power Pad with my hands setting godly world records in the long jump on the NES game, World Class Track Meet. It's time I see what it takes to make these digital worlds a reality.

Now all I need is an idea and the tools necessary to put the pixels together so that my game can be enjoyed by millions as they experience the technological and emotional feat of my creations. I'm bound to be the next Stardew Valley or Balatro, I just know it. Since I'm pretty sure the idea is the easy part my first task is deciding on a game engine.*

There are three main players I am considering, Unity, Unreal, and Godot. These are not the only options but the ones that I know I'd be happy putting my time into learning. Unreal engine makes some incredibly looking games and Unity has near infinite resources for learning thanks to a dedicated community. Unfortunately they both failed in the most important category, money. Sure, these vultures will give you their tools for free, but once success is achieved they show up like your long lost cousin twice removed looking for their share.

BEHOLD THE POWER OF FOSS! Godot on the other hand is an open source game engine. This means no one is coming for their cut of the profits, even though the amazing folks who contribute to this project deserve it the most. More importantly my draw to this engine is that I have full control, no one can change terms of service or affect my access in any way. What can I say, FOSS speaks to my soul. Especially in today's world of corporate control working its way into everything.

Godot has good documentation and I've already found some great tutorials online that should get me started. Its a perfectly viable engine that has been used to create titles like Brotato, Cassette Beats, and Halls of Torment.

Now I just need an easy idea that all gamers will flock to.....

*If the sarcasm isn't oozing through then I will continue to try to do better.