4 answers
Corey
Student
New Orleans, Louisiana
3
Questions
Asked
512 views
[Game Development/Web Development] How much time do you spend working on passion projects if any compared to your actual work?
Such as your own websites, or games.
Login to comment
4 answers
Nancy Uthke
Programmer
13
Answers
Rochester, Minnesota
Updated
Nancy’s Answer
Your inquiry about finding time for passion projects is a bit challenging to answer. It largely depends on whether your passion projects coincide with your employer's needs.
Think of it this way - your employer compensates you for accomplishing tasks that benefit the company. If your passion doesn't match the company's requirements, then it's unlikely they'll fund that project. However, you're free to pursue it during your personal time. On the other hand, if your passion project is in line with the company's goals, you might be able to discuss getting some paid time to work on it, or at least access to the company's resources during off-peak hours.
Best of luck with your passion projects, whatever they might be!
Think of it this way - your employer compensates you for accomplishing tasks that benefit the company. If your passion doesn't match the company's requirements, then it's unlikely they'll fund that project. However, you're free to pursue it during your personal time. On the other hand, if your passion project is in line with the company's goals, you might be able to discuss getting some paid time to work on it, or at least access to the company's resources during off-peak hours.
Best of luck with your passion projects, whatever they might be!
Thank you for taking the time to help.
Corey
Najee Dyson
Level Designer
5
Answers
Winter Park, Florida
Updated
Najee’s Answer
It depends on the work load you have for the industry work. If there is a lot of work you have to do for the industry, you will have little to no time to work on passion projects. If the industry work dies down, you will find more time. It all depends on how good your time management skills are. The better you plan to put in time into your passion projects, the more you will be able to get done. Even if it is only a couple of tasks you do, some progress is better than no progress.
E. Meyer Flowers
Concept Art
3
Answers
Salem, Massachusetts
Updated
E. Meyer’s Answer
It depends on what company you work at.
Some companies have rules and regulations that you won't work on a potential competing product while working for them. For example, a video game studio may not allow you to work on video games outside of personal use (i.e. no selling them).
However, you can always work on stuff tangentially related to what you do for work. I work on art in a games studio, so while I don't make video games, my free time is often spent drawing or creating comics. The amount of time you can put in largely depends on your life circumstances and your drive, but you may find yourself more or less exhausted at your job. In times like this I take a break and veg out from my passion projects. I don't want them to feel like a second job, after all!
Some companies have rules and regulations that you won't work on a potential competing product while working for them. For example, a video game studio may not allow you to work on video games outside of personal use (i.e. no selling them).
However, you can always work on stuff tangentially related to what you do for work. I work on art in a games studio, so while I don't make video games, my free time is often spent drawing or creating comics. The amount of time you can put in largely depends on your life circumstances and your drive, but you may find yourself more or less exhausted at your job. In times like this I take a break and veg out from my passion projects. I don't want them to feel like a second job, after all!
Marty Lier
Professor
7
Answers
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Updated
Marty’s Answer
It's absolutely essential to have passion projects to prevent feeling overwhelmed or burnt out. Although time might be scarce in the world of Game Development, pursuing what you love can bring immense satisfaction and rewards.
Thank you, Marty!
Robyn