Sounds like you found the secret to "creator happiness". 🙂 I'm glad you started making things just for yourself, since I know how hard it can be when a community starts getting too big, and at the same time your passion/priorities change in a different direction. Always do what makes you happy, and don't force yourself in a direction because you feel that you are getting pushed there. Good luck with your game studio, and I can't wait to see the trailer when it pops up! 😊
David you're a huge inspiration for me, you're character, you're contents and The First Tree, basically everything. Lots of support from a guy from Afghanistan.
David, thank you so much for everything! Your content, both in game and RUclips, has meant a lot to me and I know to a lot of other people too. I'm still at the beginning of my indie game journey, and it's taking me a little longer than I expected, but I keep your story as inspiration and I am so thankful that I came across your content. I look forward to whatever content you may produce in the future yet hope you will take whatever time and space you need to put your own health and wellbeing (and that of your family) first. You have blessed me greatly. May you be blessed even more in all future seasons.
Been following you since 'Home Is Where One Starts'. It takes a lot of courage to be as open as you have in this video. I admire your decision to do what you find fulfilling over being a "RUclipsr". From personal experience, there will always be this tension between creating something for yourself and creating something for the world. I feel that for a lot of people, social media's focus on rewarding constant, formulaic content comes at the expense of proper creativity. I could only imagine how big of a change it was for you to have 100K+ people suddenly watching your every move. Good luck David
From all this time, from videos etc you can see how you don’t give up and wanna do your best. I admire you as a game dev and the way you made this amazing game and how far it went and keeps going and how with your game you put so much creativity and just made something yourself would like to play. I’m really happy how your life has worked out well really a rare thing. Good luck
So im watching this again 8 months later and it still hits hard... "I was setting myself on fire, to keep others warm" Thank you for motivating me to start building a game, looks terrible right now but watching your videos and other yt creators helps a lot. hopefully, one day I'll be posting my first game trailer as well, and I'll owe it all to you. Thank you
You inspired me to start programming again and now I am building my first game in Unity, which I will publish. It's not easy next to full time job and family. But you are an inspiration that it can be done. Thank you David! I wish you and your family a wonderful time! Greetings from Germany.
Your situation and lifestyle resonate with my own. There is no limit to what people will take should you allow them, I'm also learning this - as demanding emails hit my inbox. I wish you the very best mate. Glad you are in a better place.
Thank you David, for the open, honest video and all that you have done for the indie dev community. Now it's time for you to do what makes you happy. You changed a lot of lives, gave people a new hobby, helped them to learn and discover the indie dev world. I for one, have made six games that would have not existed without you or your online course. You take it easy and enjoy your new direction.
Burnout is the worst thing I have ever faced in my life was completely destroyed At that time , I spent 6 years of my life trying to impress my friends and trying To make a living through RUclips and Blogging when I was looking for attention because I was weak and lonely 13 years old guy until I became 19 , I just disappeared from Social Media and went To therapy at the age of 19 because I was messed up as of now I'm 20 years old , I know for sure that I love Video Games DEV , I will keep going on just with my close people and Take care of my self , Thanks for this Video , now I'm sure I made the right decision .
I remember that feeling winning a creative hat contest at my high school against the entire school. I want that feeling again. Its the first and last time(This was 10+ years ago lol) I ever got recognized for something I created from scratch. You achieving getting The Last tree on the Switch reminded me of that for some reason. Its truly amazing. Hearing how the whole process works sounds so daunting.
As one of David's thousands of students and one of his many RUclips subscribers, I'm sad to see him disappear from the public eye but I'm also very happy for him. David's decision makes sense to me. Just from what I've seen from him online, it seems that we have a similar personality. I started streaming not too long ago and have quickly realized, while it can be fun, it is taking away my time and energy for the project I want to work on (which is building my own games and creating/growing a studio). There's only a finite amount of energy and time that we have here and it is up to us to choose where to spend it. There's always a trade off. I'm glad he is using that time to pursue his passion of game development and creating a game studio. I am going to do the same. Only bigger and better games can come from focusing on game dev. I look forward to seeing what he, and the studio he is creating, works on next!
You have been an ABSOLUTE inspiration to me when it comes to making a project completely by myself, and I'll always remember it as I continue with my project, which is a short animated film I'm animating by myself! Thank you so much!!!
Hey David! I've been following your Game Dev journey for awhile and I'm so glad The First Tree has been released on Switch. I just purchased it for my 3 year old son who has been playing it and running around. Keep up the hard work!
You're viral video about your game dev journey was enough to inspire me and help me pursue my game dev passion man. You've impacted so many people such as myself by just being here and telling us your story, and I'm very thankful for that. All I want is to see you happy now and to see you enjoy your creative self! Don't worry about closing off this channel aside from your upcoming game's trailer. You 100% needed this and I think it's the smart move here! best of luck with you're new game and your journey of starting a studio!!
Nothing worse than burnout, David! I've been there and it is painful to recover from. Take care of yourself and thank you for having the courage to hit the brakes and to do what is best for you. Your body, your mind, your spirit, your emotions, and your family will thank you for it. :-)
You are one of the reasons why I, a father and full-time worker, am finally making it a reality to learn game development. Before your GDC talk I felt so left behind, but your honesty and humility have inspired me completely. I no longer just wanted to doubt myself and to think I was too dumb. I wanted to stop being in the passenger seat and letting others live my dreams. Even if I will never have financial success, the journey will be worth it and already is. So. Thank you. And take care.
Man i just discovered your channel a few days ago from that video where you told your story from a mod maker to a indie gamer dev, and i have to say it inspired me a lot to try game developing, it’s kinda sad to see you had to go through all this but im happy you found what you want to do and are content with all the achievements, Your life journey ncluding all these achievements and efforts and everything makes me want to have this kind of journey of my own with game devving I'll keep following and best of luck to you for your future man.
Oh man, thanks for opening up about this. I will connect via GDU and get the "first tree" for my 7 yo (and myself :-) ) Hope we get a chance to talk in the future. Lots of support from the Bay area.
You've been an inspiration to me and I completely understand where you're coming from. There's nothing wrong with changing things up. Thank you so much for what you've done for the game dev community
I'm very happy that you are finding music again. My life is so full of music history and work that has amounted to nothing and now I found your channel in hoping to learn game development and merge audio and gaming together. Sad to hear your story but if you want to have a helping hand with audio I would love to help you.
That the most honest youtube video I ever see. Thank you David for all your support, you gave me the kick I was looking for to start my own journey in video game dev. I learn how important and fun it can be to use video game to tell story. I wish you the best for your next chapter!
I love both your games so much, and you need to do what feels right for you to create more. You will have my support no matter what you do. If you ever release another game I will buy it immediately. That's how much I believe in your talent. Many thanks to both you and your wife for making your two games so wholesome and amazing. Much love and respect!
I came from Lost Relic Games. You're a super cool guy and its amazing everything you accomplish. Joy is what got you where you are so it's important to keep that joy going! Thank you for being honest with the community its good to know these things coming from you.
Though it is not long for me to learn about you, but your videos have encouraged me to start my game-making journey. I am now in my first year of university and I hope I can make a great game like the first tree one day. Thank you , David
Thank you David for creating this video! Sorry I did not see your blog post and I really appriciate your transparency. Furthermore, I still wish you all the best for your future and family!
All the best for the journey ahead! I started following you from your GDC talk. Have fun man, surf the assets and have fun. That's what I do, thanks to you. :)
Thank you for your videos, they have really helped me to start making games, thank you for sharing your experience and the emotional journey you've been through, that's very brave. I can only wish you the best, I'll be waiting for that trailer. Looking you unbox the first tree felt like watching a kid on xmas day!
This is so relatable. Although my channel is much smaller than yours, I've learned that viewers demand have just no end. It makes sense in a way. For them it's 1 on 1 but for you it's 1 on hundreds/thousands and your energy is limited. I was happy to help everyone but eventually I started to find myself getting easily stressed or even frustrated by comments. I thought they were asking the same questions again and again, never checking my previous answers that I spent time and provided etc. For me, it was true, but for them, not. They are all different people. So I realized that I was the one who was wrong and started managing my resource more carefully. I stopped pushing myself too hard to answer all the comments and accepted that I cannot help everyone. I think it's a right choice to take a distance from RUclips or other social medias if that's what your sprit wants right now. But at the same time I'm glad you didn't clearly say you're quitting for good. Because you never know how you feel in the future. So just follow your passion. Maybe someday it guides you back to this platform. Or maybe not. Either way is fine. Nobody can predict the future and that's why life is interesting. Thank you for sharing your story and I wish you good luck on your next journey👍
Thanks for everything you did on this channel. I found the channel like many others when the algorithm picked up your story video. I’ve been buying many games your students made, and have bought your games as well. I’ll support whatever project you make in the future.
As co-developer of a now already 20+ years old PS1 game called Dodgem Arena I still look at the box with pride. There are only a few things in live where I've put so much energy and dedication into. The 18 months of development were truly at a pivotal moment for me I realised later on. The game I made is not great but not bad either. After so many years that doesn't matter much to me anymore. It's no classic but a friend, without knowing I made it, once told me he enjoyed playing it. I am happy for that alone :-) I have made a handful of starts as an indy developer but never again could bring up the dexterity I had in 1998. Maybe being a one man band doesn't work for me. I think I would now prefer having a smaller role in a nice team with great people that have no need to boost their ego too much. One lesson I still need to teach myself almost every day is to just enjoy what I am doing. Thanks for sharing so much of your live as a gamedev!
Thanks for uploading this video and sharing David. It's good to hear that you're on the road to recovery. I've just started to create my dev vlog for my game, so it's nice to get some perspective from someone at the end of that journey. I'll try not to burn myself out :)
You inspired many and a blessing to many who needed that guide. Personally your story pushed me to go after my dreams. So if you ever wondered if you helped someone . Hey I can say I’m one of them. So thank you . As long as your happy it doesn’t matter what path you decide to take. I’m just glad to hear your happy. So go on now in your new path , thank you for inspiring and helping us.
I burned out couple of weeks ago too, but I quickly realised what happened and what I need to change. I watched your videos from interest of how you and the game are going. I'm really happier that you intend to use the channel for the next game, that's exactly what I was hoping to see here. Good luck to you, good health to you and your family.
I'm happy for you. I struggled with the same issue. I'm focusing on my new startup and I'm soooooooo happy I didn't make a course or dedicate more to this while still writing code in my company full time. Good luck! Open that studio! Build some great games.
I just wanted to say, I loved this video - there's so little honesty in most RUclips videos that this was really refreshing, humbling, and inspiring - inspiring in that it doesn't make RUclips fame look like the ultimate goal, that maybe there are excellent reasons why being a youtuber is not compatible with lots of people's personality types. I don't know if you'll read this comment, but I feel like I had a comparable emotional experience to you, through the pandemic. In short, I was working as a Graphic Designer / Web Developer, and moonlighting by making comics, and then in swift succession my Mum died, the pandemic hit, and my baby boy was born. We were thrust into this surreal form of isolation where my partner was suffering with post natal depression, my boy had horrendous reflux, and we couldn't see anyone. We didn't even see family members out of fear of passing on the virus and causing someone to die. Any time my boy did manage to sleep I would have to open the laptop and chip away at coding a website, and it made me so depressed. I pretty much packed it in first chance I had and have since been focusing on my family, and my comics. Sometimes times of tremendous unravelling show us what's really important to us. Anyway, sorry for the rambling comment. I wish you lots of luck with the game dev studio and can't wait to see what you create next. Thank you again for the honest video.
Wishing you all the best with this next chapter! Thank you for everything! I've loved watching your videos and enjoyed how humble and inspiring you are to so many of us who dare to dream when it comes to creating our own games. So glad you're going to be focusing on you - take care and i'm looking forward to seeing the trailer whenever it's ready! Best wishes :)
Wishing you all the best as well :) I’ve loved following your journey & it’s very clear that you are a compassionate person who wants to help others along with their game dev goals too. Hope I run into you at next years GDC!
If we can feel you so much only through this screen, then imagine what it would be meeting you in person. Through your journey you've already helped many artists and creators by inspiring them.
Watching this video made me feel so much better. I've been fighting the urge to create tutorials and how-tos. Ultimately, I know if I teach developers how to do one thing - they will only want more and more. Good Luck with your Game Studio; we are all watching. :)
I am going through this with my therapist as well right now. I'm glad you have gained some insight into your own self worth. I hope we never hear from you again )) Take care bud.
idk how many people you've inspired but I am definitely one of them. with your RUclips videos I started my indie game Dev journey thinking I could do it too and I am surprised how far I have grown from the place I was in. thanks for everything man and best of luck for the life ahead!
Good for you. I'm much more interested in playing your games than I am watching your channel. That being said, it was super cool to see you open your own game on Nintendo. That was special and worth watching.
I thoroughly LOVED the First Tree. I've never experienced a game that had such an effect on me. Played Home Is Where One Starts after. I've played each one over and over, lost count. Absolutely amazing games. Thanks for creating them. You're awesome Mr. Wehle.
Hi David. Fantastic video, I only started your course and watching your channel this year. You are doing the right thing! You have taught me so much already! Good luck with you future endeavours! Hope to hear more from you!
Bro I’ll stick around for whatever or whenever you post. Just remember that you don’t owe us videos but when you do give us one we’re grateful! Good luck with everything!
Best wishes of good luck and happiness! Hopefully, this video and the rest of this channel's videos stay up for a long time, they are great references and very insightful.
Thanks for sharing this with the gang, David. You seriously didn't need to share all the burnout stories, feelings e.t.c, but you did, and in a very relatable and encouraging way; as it's a part of your personal space imo. Your help, even for something with very minimal contact with you, is something that I took at heart and try to keep me fueled for my game projects. I wish the best for your future projects and know there's always someone out there that'll be supporting your works :D
You were one of the inspirations for me to start my journey in game development. I will never forget the motivation and the guidance you gave me throughout my journey. Just playing your game gave me so many new game ideas I can work on. But I guess at some point you always have to move on. So, thank you for everything. Hope you have a great life ahead!
David. You dont know me, but I am one of your students. I payed $600 for your course. It shook me to learn you are taking a step back from the community. I remember being so excited as I learnt more about your story. A father, a game dev, trying his best. He made it! Its possible! Im a father too you see; so your content really resonated with me. Game Dev Unlocked was more than the mortal man David: but an idea. An idea that with enough conviction, strategy follow through, we all had it in us to reach our silly boyhood dreams. When I saw your message on the GDU discord, that idea took a hit for me. But at the end of the day, I guess life goes on. Look after yourself. Look after your family. I know from experience youve inspired a lot of people. Now its up to the people to carry that on. All the best. - Some random student you never knew
Im 34 and I just started learning 2 years ago and honestly Im not impressed with my progress. I wonder if I can still fulfill my dream. Youre my inspiration man.. Hopefully one day I'll be on your position.
Good luck dude, Can't believe I been following you for like a year and half, I graduated university last month, and your videos have kept inspiring me throughout, and I will be going on that journey because of yourself, tom brush and pontypants as a solo developer so thank you so much for the videos and good luck with your studio. Thank you again.
Always take care of yourself first! You’ve been a huge inspiration to me starting my journey as a game developer I love you videos and how open you are about all these experiences and challenges with game dev I listen to a ton of podcast but I admire your content the most, keep being awesome.
Whatever you chose, we totally support you! Infinite gratitude to you! You are the best indie game developer I have ever seen! Wish you happiness and wellness to all of your family members. Greetings from Tashkent, Uzbekistan!
Dave you inspired me to get into Game Dev and think its even possible, you done great! Focus more on yourself and family, its most important! Regards from Asia
Take care man, Your story have been an inspiration to me and countless others and you definitely deserve some down time to re-evaluate your priorities and what you love doing
Solo indie dev is a long and tough road to go down, i been doing it for nearly 10 years now. I made so many sacrifices throughout that time. Still going...but i, like anyone else, reach motivation droughts from time to time. I can't tell you how many times i question why am i still doing this. My only answer to that is, it's where my passion is at.
RUclips can serve as a different kind of benefit, one that allows you to speak up on matters that you feel need to be expressed or addressed for the sake of clarity or public opinion. *Switching from Teacher to Speculator/Observer can really help take weight off your shoulders by allowing yourself to never be forceful on creating a discussion, It can just flow like a diary.* Videos can be just as simple as comments and still contribute to your community.
Saying thanks doesn’t feel like enough. I totally understand where you are coming from and respect you so much for it. Please know what you have shared has helped me and others on our journey, and in that way, you have, for me, helped save a bit of my world. I wish you all the very best David. Thank you once more.
Take your time David. I think this is the best decision. Please do more things for yourself, things that you feel happy doing. Creating is a gift and part of us goes into it, so do what makes you happy and share with the world your creations. All the best, cant wait to see the trailer video.
Thanks reassuring im not crazy or selfish, i think im gonna leave my job soon. :D The "I set myself on fire to keep others warm" is something im relating to very hard. And dug a deep hole at my work by helping everyone so by now there are endless amounts of projects to be finalized now from my part where i got involved. And i even had to some parts of my work decrease in quality to help others in more important things but since those arent my full responsability to finalize those i just dont see results anywhere on top. Just another scream for help, just another hour or thirty minutes requested from my time. So work draws that finite energy you were talking about, which i would love to spend on family, friends, a relationship, on training, on gamedev as a hobby....many of these i stopped caring of or spent a very limited time in the past year or so. Its kinda crazy, even if i was aware of this situation for a while, if your nature is to support, help others its a very dangerious game. So thanks for this again, its another this time in depth reassurance, because my friends arent the same like me they just told be blatantly and rightfully so that im stupid, just leave your work if it demands so much. They are right of course and try to help me, but communicating this way doesnt really translate to me. So this video means a lot, im pretty sure there are others in the same situation.
We're all going to miss you, but it's good that you're doing what's best for you. I do hope you leave all your videos up, though. I found "How Making Indie Games Changed My Life" to be really inspiring, and I rewatch it every month or two as a way of reminding myself what I'm trying to work towards.
Thank you very much for your honesty and fantastic content on the channel. You are a wonderful person and we all get what you say. I wish you all the best!
"I was setting myself on fire, to keep others warm."... This hit hard mate! Thanks for sharing, do what you need and take care of yourself. Cheers!
I literally cried bro
thats a fucking bar 💯
Reminds me of dark souls
Sounds like you found the secret to "creator happiness". 🙂 I'm glad you started making things just for yourself, since I know how hard it can be when a community starts getting too big, and at the same time your passion/priorities change in a different direction. Always do what makes you happy, and don't force yourself in a direction because you feel that you are getting pushed there. Good luck with your game studio, and I can't wait to see the trailer when it pops up! 😊
David you're a huge inspiration for me, you're character, you're contents and The First Tree, basically everything.
Lots of support from a guy from Afghanistan.
Goodbye, loved the game.
David, thank you so much for everything! Your content, both in game and RUclips, has meant a lot to me and I know to a lot of other people too. I'm still at the beginning of my indie game journey, and it's taking me a little longer than I expected, but I keep your story as inspiration and I am so thankful that I came across your content. I look forward to whatever content you may produce in the future yet hope you will take whatever time and space you need to put your own health and wellbeing (and that of your family) first. You have blessed me greatly. May you be blessed even more in all future seasons.
Been following you since 'Home Is Where One Starts'. It takes a lot of courage to be as open as you have in this video. I admire your decision to do what you find fulfilling over being a "RUclipsr". From personal experience, there will always be this tension between creating something for yourself and creating something for the world. I feel that for a lot of people, social media's focus on rewarding constant, formulaic content comes at the expense of proper creativity. I could only imagine how big of a change it was for you to have 100K+ people suddenly watching your every move. Good luck David
From all this time, from videos etc you can see how you don’t give up and wanna do your best. I admire you as a game dev and the way you made this amazing game and how far it went and keeps going and how with your game you put so much creativity and just made something yourself would like to play. I’m really happy how your life has worked out well really a rare thing. Good luck
So im watching this again 8 months later and it still hits hard...
"I was setting myself on fire, to keep others warm"
Thank you for motivating me to start building a game, looks terrible right now but watching your videos and other yt creators helps a lot. hopefully, one day I'll be posting my first game trailer as well, and I'll owe it all to you. Thank you
2 years later...
You inspired me to start programming again and now I am building my first game in Unity, which I will publish. It's not easy next to full time job and family. But you are an inspiration that it can be done. Thank you David! I wish you and your family a wonderful time! Greetings from Germany.
Your situation and lifestyle resonate with my own. There is no limit to what people will take should you allow them, I'm also learning this - as demanding emails hit my inbox. I wish you the very best mate. Glad you are in a better place.
Thank you David, for the open, honest video and all that you have done for the indie dev community. Now it's time for you to do what makes you happy. You changed a lot of lives, gave people a new hobby, helped them to learn and discover the indie dev world. I for one, have made six games that would have not existed without you or your online course. You take it easy and enjoy your new direction.
Burnout is the worst thing I have ever faced in my life was completely destroyed At that time , I spent 6 years of my life trying to impress my friends and trying To make a living through RUclips and Blogging when I was looking for attention because I was weak and lonely 13 years old guy until I became 19 , I just disappeared from Social Media and went To therapy at the age of 19 because I was messed up as of now I'm 20 years old , I know for sure that I love Video Games DEV , I will keep going on just with my close people and Take care of my self , Thanks for this Video , now I'm sure I made the right decision .
I remember that feeling winning a creative hat contest at my high school against the entire school. I want that feeling again. Its the first and last time(This was 10+ years ago lol) I ever got recognized for something I created from scratch. You achieving getting The Last tree on the Switch reminded me of that for some reason. Its truly amazing. Hearing how the whole process works sounds so daunting.
Change channel name to gamedev locked
What was it before
The channel’s original name was “Game Dev Unlocked”
To everyone in this chat, Jesus is calling you today. Come to him, repent from your sins, bear his cross and live the victorious life.
As one of David's thousands of students and one of his many RUclips subscribers, I'm sad to see him disappear from the public eye but I'm also very happy for him. David's decision makes sense to me. Just from what I've seen from him online, it seems that we have a similar personality.
I started streaming not too long ago and have quickly realized, while it can be fun, it is taking away my time and energy for the project I want to work on (which is building my own games and creating/growing a studio). There's only a finite amount of energy and time that we have here and it is up to us to choose where to spend it. There's always a trade off.
I'm glad he is using that time to pursue his passion of game development and creating a game studio. I am going to do the same. Only bigger and better games can come from focusing on game dev.
I look forward to seeing what he, and the studio he is creating, works on next!
Good for you! I'm a big believer in: "You can't help others until you can help yourself first".
Burnout is a horrible process specially for artist and creators. I hope you're happier now and that this change will be for the better 🤗
The First Tree was one of the only games I ever actually got emotional with. It is beautiful and very well made.
You have been an ABSOLUTE inspiration to me when it comes to making a project completely by myself, and I'll always remember it as I continue with my project, which is a short animated film I'm animating by myself! Thank you so much!!!
Hey David! I've been following your Game Dev journey for awhile and I'm so glad The First Tree has been released on Switch. I just purchased it for my 3 year old son who has been playing it and running around. Keep up the hard work!
You're viral video about your game dev journey was enough to inspire me and help me pursue my game dev passion man. You've impacted so many people such as myself by just being here and telling us your story, and I'm very thankful for that. All I want is to see you happy now and to see you enjoy your creative self! Don't worry about closing off this channel aside from your upcoming game's trailer. You 100% needed this and I think it's the smart move here! best of luck with you're new game and your journey of starting a studio!!
Nothing worse than burnout, David! I've been there and it is painful to recover from. Take care of yourself and thank you for having the courage to hit the brakes and to do what is best for you. Your body, your mind, your spirit, your emotions, and your family will thank you for it. :-)
You are one of the reasons why I, a father and full-time worker, am finally making it a reality to learn game development. Before your GDC talk I felt so left behind, but your honesty and humility have inspired me completely. I no longer just wanted to doubt myself and to think I was too dumb. I wanted to stop being in the passenger seat and letting others live my dreams. Even if I will never have financial success, the journey will be worth it and already is. So. Thank you. And take care.
all the best mate
I’m now in Uni for game dev because of your video’s encouragements
you put so much love on your work and you try your best to give us a good quality product and i respect that and your passion.
Man i just discovered your channel a few days ago from that video where you told your story from a mod maker to a indie gamer dev, and i have to say it inspired me a lot to try game developing, it’s kinda sad to see you had to go through all this but im happy you found what you want to do and are content with all the achievements,
Your life journey ncluding all these achievements and efforts and everything makes me want to have this kind of journey of my own with game devving
I'll keep following and best of luck to you for your future man.
I am touched by your honesty and openness. Thank you for uploading this.
Oh man, thanks for opening up about this.
I will connect via GDU and get the "first tree" for my 7 yo (and myself :-) )
Hope we get a chance to talk in the future.
Lots of support from the Bay area.
You've been an inspiration to me and I completely understand where you're coming from. There's nothing wrong with changing things up. Thank you so much for what you've done for the game dev community
I'm very happy that you are finding music again. My life is so full of music history and work that has amounted to nothing and now I found your channel in hoping to learn game development and merge audio and gaming together.
Sad to hear your story but if you want to have a helping hand with audio I would love to help you.
I have a ton of gear and ambition
That the most honest youtube video I ever see. Thank you David for all your support, you gave me the kick I was looking for to start my own journey in video game dev. I learn how important and fun it can be to use video game to tell story. I wish you the best for your next chapter!
You got a CD? 😃
That's pretty cool. I thought we've moved past optical media.
I love both your games so much, and you need to do what feels right for you to create more. You will have my support no matter what you do. If you ever release another game I will buy it immediately. That's how much I believe in your talent. Many thanks to both you and your wife for making your two games so wholesome and amazing. Much love and respect!
I came from Lost Relic Games. You're a super cool guy and its amazing everything you accomplish. Joy is what got you where you are so it's important to keep that joy going! Thank you for being honest with the community its good to know these things coming from you.
Though it is not long for me to learn about you, but your videos have encouraged me to start my game-making journey. I am now in my first year of university and I hope I can make a great game like the first tree one day. Thank you , David
Thank you David for creating this video! Sorry I did not see your blog post and I really appriciate your transparency. Furthermore, I still wish you all the best for your future and family!
All the best for the journey ahead! I started following you from your GDC talk. Have fun man, surf the assets and have fun. That's what I do, thanks to you. :)
Thank you for your videos, they have really helped me to start making games, thank you for sharing your experience and the emotional journey you've been through, that's very brave. I can only wish you the best, I'll be waiting for that trailer. Looking you unbox the first tree felt like watching a kid on xmas day!
This is so relatable. Although my channel is much smaller than yours, I've learned that viewers demand have just no end. It makes sense in a way. For them it's 1 on 1 but for you it's 1 on hundreds/thousands and your energy is limited. I was happy to help everyone but eventually I started to find myself getting easily stressed or even frustrated by comments. I thought they were asking the same questions again and again, never checking my previous answers that I spent time and provided etc. For me, it was true, but for them, not. They are all different people. So I realized that I was the one who was wrong and started managing my resource more carefully. I stopped pushing myself too hard to answer all the comments and accepted that I cannot help everyone. I think it's a right choice to take a distance from RUclips or other social medias if that's what your sprit wants right now. But at the same time I'm glad you didn't clearly say you're quitting for good. Because you never know how you feel in the future. So just follow your passion. Maybe someday it guides you back to this platform. Or maybe not. Either way is fine. Nobody can predict the future and that's why life is interesting. Thank you for sharing your story and I wish you good luck on your next journey👍
Thanks for everything you did on this channel. I found the channel like many others when the algorithm picked up your story video. I’ve been buying many games your students made, and have bought your games as well. I’ll support whatever project you make in the future.
As co-developer of a now already 20+ years old PS1 game called Dodgem Arena I still look at the box with pride. There are only a few things in live where I've put so much energy and dedication into. The 18 months of development were truly at a pivotal moment for me I realised later on. The game I made is not great but not bad either. After so many years that doesn't matter much to me anymore. It's no classic but a friend, without knowing I made it, once told me he enjoyed playing it. I am happy for that alone :-) I have made a handful of starts as an indy developer but never again could bring up the dexterity I had in 1998. Maybe being a one man band doesn't work for me. I think I would now prefer having a smaller role in a nice team with great people that have no need to boost their ego too much. One lesson I still need to teach myself almost every day is to just enjoy what I am doing. Thanks for sharing so much of your live as a gamedev!
It's crazy watching this as a newbie. Hopefully you can get back to what gives you energy and joy. Good luck!
Thanks for uploading this video and sharing David. It's good to hear that you're on the road to recovery. I've just started to create my dev vlog for my game, so it's nice to get some perspective from someone at the end of that journey. I'll try not to burn myself out :)
You inspired many and a blessing to many who needed that guide. Personally your story pushed me to go after my dreams. So if you ever wondered if you helped someone . Hey I can say I’m one of them. So thank you . As long as your happy it doesn’t matter what path you decide to take. I’m just glad to hear your happy. So go on now in your new path , thank you for inspiring and helping us.
I am happy for you that you are back into doing just game dev for you as your creative outlet. Good luck can't wait for the trailer!
Best video I've seen in a while! Best of luck on your next project :)
I burned out couple of weeks ago too, but I quickly realised what happened and what I need to change. I watched your videos from interest of how you and the game are going. I'm really happier that you intend to use the channel for the next game, that's exactly what I was hoping to see here. Good luck to you, good health to you and your family.
I'm happy for you. I struggled with the same issue. I'm focusing on my new startup and I'm soooooooo happy I didn't make a course or dedicate more to this while still writing code in my company full time. Good luck! Open that studio! Build some great games.
Five years of being full time caretaker of my parents in their final years of life was my burnout.
Your Fire kept me warm during long cold Finnish nights when I have been doing my game!
Noooooooo. Very sad. But hope you will be well! All the best!
I just wanted to say, I loved this video - there's so little honesty in most RUclips videos that this was really refreshing, humbling, and inspiring - inspiring in that it doesn't make RUclips fame look like the ultimate goal, that maybe there are excellent reasons why being a youtuber is not compatible with lots of people's personality types.
I don't know if you'll read this comment, but I feel like I had a comparable emotional experience to you, through the pandemic. In short, I was working as a Graphic Designer / Web Developer, and moonlighting by making comics, and then in swift succession my Mum died, the pandemic hit, and my baby boy was born. We were thrust into this surreal form of isolation where my partner was suffering with post natal depression, my boy had horrendous reflux, and we couldn't see anyone. We didn't even see family members out of fear of passing on the virus and causing someone to die. Any time my boy did manage to sleep I would have to open the laptop and chip away at coding a website, and it made me so depressed. I pretty much packed it in first chance I had and have since been focusing on my family, and my comics. Sometimes times of tremendous unravelling show us what's really important to us.
Anyway, sorry for the rambling comment. I wish you lots of luck with the game dev studio and can't wait to see what you create next.
Thank you again for the honest video.
David, you singlehandedly inspired us on our game journey and wish you the best. Much love!
Wishing you all the best with this next chapter! Thank you for everything! I've loved watching your videos and enjoyed how humble and inspiring you are to so many of us who dare to dream when it comes to creating our own games. So glad you're going to be focusing on you - take care and i'm looking forward to seeing the trailer whenever it's ready! Best wishes :)
Really appreciate your transparency and honesty about your whole process! All the best with your healing process.
Good luck with your next phase in your game dev journey. Hopefully you will have less burnout and feel more relaxed.
Wishing you all the best as well :) I’ve loved following your journey & it’s very clear that you are a compassionate person who wants to help others along with their game dev goals too. Hope I run into you at next years GDC!
If we can feel you so much only through this screen, then imagine what it would be meeting you in person. Through your journey you've already helped many artists and creators by inspiring them.
Watching this video made me feel so much better. I've been fighting the urge to create tutorials and how-tos.
Ultimately, I know if I teach developers how to do one thing - they will only want more and more.
Good Luck with your Game Studio; we are all watching. :)
I am going through this with my therapist as well right now. I'm glad you have gained some insight into your own self worth. I hope we never hear from you again )) Take care bud.
Thanks so much for your work!! I know what's it like to get burnt out.
just chill!!
I’m a new developer and I’m thankful for this video. I think I’m going down the same road.
I'm watching this back now and I knew he meant the game We Harvest Shadows
idk how many people you've inspired but I am definitely one of them. with your RUclips videos I started my indie game Dev journey thinking I could do it too and I am surprised how far I have grown from the place I was in. thanks for everything man and best of luck for the life ahead!
Thanks for sharing your experience. ❤
Good for you. I'm much more interested in playing your games than I am watching your channel. That being said, it was super cool to see you open your own game on Nintendo. That was special and worth watching.
I wish you all the best in what you do from here on out. Take care!
I thoroughly LOVED the First Tree. I've never experienced a game that had such an effect on me. Played Home Is Where One Starts after. I've played each one over and over, lost count. Absolutely amazing games. Thanks for creating them. You're awesome Mr. Wehle.
Hi David. Fantastic video, I only started your course and watching your channel this year. You are doing the right thing! You have taught me so much already! Good luck with you future endeavours! Hope to hear more from you!
Bro I’ll stick around for whatever or whenever you post. Just remember that you don’t owe us videos but when you do give us one we’re grateful! Good luck with everything!
Paradoxically, the tragic of your own tourments and vulnerability, makes your story particularly powerful.
You've helped me to realize what I can do, and that I do have creativity, i just need to use it. All the best david
Best wishes of good luck and happiness! Hopefully, this video and the rest of this channel's videos stay up for a long time, they are great references and very insightful.
Thanks for sharing this with the gang, David. You seriously didn't need to share all the burnout stories, feelings e.t.c, but you did, and in a very relatable and encouraging way; as it's a part of your personal space imo. Your help, even for something with very minimal contact with you, is something that I took at heart and try to keep me fueled for my game projects. I wish the best for your future projects and know there's always someone out there that'll be supporting your works :D
You were one of the inspirations for me to start my journey in game development. I will never forget the motivation and the guidance you gave me throughout my journey. Just playing your game gave me so many new game ideas I can work on. But I guess at some point you always have to move on. So, thank you for everything. Hope you have a great life ahead!
I am honestly surprised you still kept it going.
And them here I am where, despite being so new to youtube and having so low audience, I feel burnout
David. You dont know me, but I am one of your students. I payed $600 for your course. It shook me to learn you are taking a step back from the community. I remember being so excited as I learnt more about your story. A father, a game dev, trying his best. He made it! Its possible! Im a father too you see; so your content really resonated with me.
Game Dev Unlocked was more than the mortal man David: but an idea. An idea that with enough conviction, strategy follow through, we all had it in us to reach our silly boyhood dreams. When I saw your message on the GDU discord, that idea took a hit for me. But at the end of the day, I guess life goes on.
Look after yourself. Look after your family. I know from experience youve inspired a lot of people. Now its up to the people to carry that on.
All the best. - Some random student you never knew
Im 34 and I just started learning 2 years ago and honestly Im not impressed with my progress. I wonder if I can still fulfill my dream. Youre my inspiration man.. Hopefully one day I'll be on your position.
Another precious gold leaving after @brackeys left 😭😭😩. Do what makes you happy David. We love you
Good luck dude, Can't believe I been following you for like a year and half, I graduated university last month, and your videos have kept inspiring me throughout, and I will be going on that journey because of yourself, tom brush and pontypants as a solo developer so thank you so much for the videos and good luck with your studio. Thank you again.
Always take care of yourself first! You’ve been a huge inspiration to me starting my journey as a game developer I love you videos and how open you are about all these experiences and challenges with game dev I listen to a ton of podcast but I admire your content the most, keep being awesome.
Whatever you chose, we totally support you! Infinite gratitude to you! You are the best indie game developer I have ever seen! Wish you happiness and wellness to all of your family members.
Greetings from Tashkent, Uzbekistan!
Dave you inspired me to get into Game Dev and think its even possible, you done great! Focus more on yourself and family, its most important! Regards from Asia
Big step, man! Good luck with your new studio and new life!!!
Take care man, Your story have been an inspiration to me and countless others and you definitely deserve some down time to re-evaluate your priorities and what you love doing
Why I'm feeling you are saying what my mind is trying to SHOUT
Solo indie dev is a long and tough road to go down, i been doing it for nearly 10 years now. I made so many sacrifices throughout that time. Still going...but i, like anyone else, reach motivation droughts from time to time. I can't tell you how many times i question why am i still doing this. My only answer to that is, it's where my passion is at.
Don't be lost. Always be with us. Good luck!!!
Never say never my friend... Great content and work David.
RUclips can serve as a different kind of benefit, one that allows you to speak up on matters that you feel need to be expressed or addressed for the sake of clarity or public opinion.
*Switching from Teacher to Speculator/Observer can really help take weight off your shoulders by allowing yourself to never be forceful on creating a discussion, It can just flow like a diary.*
Videos can be just as simple as comments and still contribute to your community.
Saying thanks doesn’t feel like enough. I totally understand where you are coming from and respect you so much for it. Please know what you have shared has helped me and others on our journey, and in that way, you have, for me, helped save a bit of my world. I wish you all the very best David. Thank you once more.
Thank you David! I'm glad you made Indie Games, you and Thomas and many other inspire me! I hope you have a successful future! God Bless you!
Take your time David. I think this is the best decision. Please do more things for yourself, things that you feel happy doing. Creating is a gift and part of us goes into it, so do what makes you happy and share with the world your creations. All the best, cant wait to see the trailer video.
Don’t worry be happy. Do things at your own pace and don’t worry about helping everyone else, you made it on your own, others can too.
Thanks reassuring im not crazy or selfish, i think im gonna leave my job soon. :D The "I set myself on fire to keep others warm" is something im relating to very hard. And dug a deep hole at my work by helping everyone so by now there are endless amounts of projects to be finalized now from my part where i got involved. And i even had to some parts of my work decrease in quality to help others in more important things but since those arent my full responsability to finalize those i just dont see results anywhere on top. Just another scream for help, just another hour or thirty minutes requested from my time.
So work draws that finite energy you were talking about, which i would love to spend on family, friends, a relationship, on training, on gamedev as a hobby....many of these i stopped caring of or spent a very limited time in the past year or so. Its kinda crazy, even if i was aware of this situation for a while, if your nature is to support, help others its a very dangerious game. So thanks for this again, its another this time in depth reassurance, because my friends arent the same like me they just told be blatantly and rightfully so that im stupid, just leave your work if it demands so much. They are right of course and try to help me, but communicating this way doesnt really translate to me.
So this video means a lot, im pretty sure there are others in the same situation.
We're all going to miss you, but it's good that you're doing what's best for you. I do hope you leave all your videos up, though. I found "How Making Indie Games Changed My Life" to be really inspiring, and I rewatch it every month or two as a way of reminding myself what I'm trying to work towards.
Oh, wow, he really stuck to it.
Thanks for the work you inspired me in my game dev!
thanks for sharing your story. It really did inspire me. In addition, from your videos, you appear to be really nice guy. Take care and all the best!
Thank you very much for your honesty and fantastic content on the channel. You are a wonderful person and we all get what you say. I wish you all the best!