What happened when i quit my job

by Matthew Gatland

unemployed person

The Dream.

How I did it

• be privileged
• (increase income +decrease costs)
• (insert anecdote here)

I quit!

cash for 3+ years  ✓

unlimited free time  ✓

development skills  ✓

Managing risk

• 1 game per week (for 4 weeks)
• 1 game per month (for 4 months)
• 1 Big Game

Keys to success

• money + time ✓
• a plan to avoid overcomitting ✓
• nothing can go wrong now!

there are hidden benefits to a day job

regular wake up time

lunchtime conversation

a skype chat to discuss your problems

a hub of familiar faces

1-game-a-week didn't last long

school holidays are fun because all your friends are on holiday too

getting paid isn't just money, it's validation.

it got better

rebuilding

regular activities

commitments and validation

adapting to a quieter life

Things you need to survive:

'money, time and motivation'

responsibilities, community and routine

YMMV…but this stuff is important

3 years later

Slack + coworking spaces

responsibilities, community and routine

YMMV

mini-postmortems

• skate (& deadlines)
• tide (& recognition)
• ducks (& what players care about)
• failed FPS

end