I left 2K games for much the same reasons. Working on big budget games like Bioshock is safe and comfortable, but after nearly 10 years to going into the office at 9, having meeting after meeting, then going home at 6, I realized life was passing me by.
So I quit and started my own studio Iron Helmet Games. I'm taking risks again, I have some creative control, I'm even getting much more done! It feels so good to work really hard again. I like to work hard, but I need to know its useful and appreciated.
Our first game Neptune's Pride has only been in development since September 2009 and people are already playing and enjoying it.
Kyburz - isn't that a name from Bioshock? Didn't even realize that was a shoutout :)
Thanks for the firm kick in the ass - I've noticed that I've been getting to work at 9, leaving at 6-7pm for a while now with alarming regularity. For some time I wrote this off as part of the job (I get paid a pretty sum for it I suppose), but it bothers me more and more.
Do you have any advice (aside from "quit your job!" which I'm well aware of) for getting one's work/life balance back in order?
He's talking about http://np.ironhelmet.com/ - I'm currently bitter-sweetly loving it (huge overlap with a personal project that I keep ditching in deference to work).
So I quit and started my own studio Iron Helmet Games. I'm taking risks again, I have some creative control, I'm even getting much more done! It feels so good to work really hard again. I like to work hard, but I need to know its useful and appreciated.
Our first game Neptune's Pride has only been in development since September 2009 and people are already playing and enjoying it.