Stepping Away

Age 42, Male

Joined on 3/19/09

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Stepping Away

Posted by Hyptosis - January 17th, 2014

I'm going to be stepping away from indie game dev for a while. I have two games that are half finished right now, I probably won't get them done. I'll try to knock them out in the next 30 days but most likely it's just not going to happen. It's been a blast, and a great experience. I've met so many kickass people, I have new friends now, a lot of new knowledge, and mostly fond memories. But things are changing and I just don't enjoy it anymore. The attitude of players seem more sour now than when I started, and I dunno if this is just me, or an actual change, but I don't even look forward to reading the player comments anymore. And I used to LIVE for that, even the bad comments. My last few games have flopped, my sponsors lost money on them, the players didn't like them, and honestly I didn't really even enjoy making the last couple because I knew the players wouldn't like them.

I'm not putting this on anyone besides myself, I just don't enjoy it anymore. And if I don't enjoy it, my products are going to be crap. I'll try to keep in touch when I can, and maybe I can set some time aside later in the year and do some more work. But I honestly just can't afford to do this anymore, both financially and inspiraitonally? If that is even a word.

I've had a new job offer, it isn't a job I like, but it is a job I can do. And it'll provide for me and my family in the future. But I won't be home anymore, I won't have time to be online, and I won't even be in the country (USA) half the time. So it isn't fair for me to claim I'll try to keep making games, when I know I won't be able to. I'd rather pleasantly surprise everyone than lie to them.

So thanks guys, and thanks NG, best online community I have EVER seen. So many great people. I can't even start to tell you guys how patient Tom and some of the staff here at NG has been with me. I came into this a few years ago, I didn't know how to do anything in flash at all, and I didn't know how to code. Tom answered every question I had when I know he had other shit to be doing. And Impendingriot spent hours getting me started on my own.

I'll still be around for a few weeks though, so I'll still be responding to emails and private messages and stuff until then. Thank you all so much, you've been great.

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EhWasTaken 2014-01-18 09:44:30

Man all the good devs are like shutting down and stuff :(

Dunnonu 2014-01-18 10:17:44

I'm sorry to hear that although I understand your decision.
I remember I was very fond of Alice is Dead when it was released, and I kept checking your work ever since.
Please don't let the mean comments bring you down, you've got a lot of talent and potencial, and you can clearly notice how your games improved all these years.
Anyway, take your time and enjoy your life, you surely deserve a break.

Hyptosis 2014-01-18 10:17:44

Thanks so much, I dunno why I've lost my drive. Once I did, the comments did start hurting, not going to lie about it. I've never really had trouble with it until this last year, my skin just wasn't as thick anymore I guess.

Kylpault 2014-01-18 10:41:17

I'm not going to try and understand what you're describing as someone who's never made an indie game before, but it obviously makes sense to you and I have enough respect for your games and how you treat people to accept it without complaint.

Have a nice life, wherever it might take you. :)

Hyptosis 2014-01-18 10:41:17

Thank you so much. ^5

TomFulp 2014-01-18 10:43:15

I'm gonna miss seeing you around, I really hope you can still pop in and say "hi" once in a while! But also congrats on the job and the international travel will likely be exciting and inspirational!

Ya know, if you find yourself sitting around at airports and on planes, you still might have a chance for some creative personal time. You'll even have cell access on the planes and NG should be getting more and more mobile friendly if you want to check in. Hope your next chapter turns out to be awesome!

Hyptosis 2014-01-18 10:43:15

Thanks Tom, yeah I'm looking forward to the travel. The job is wicked difficult and the hours are very long, but I will also get breaks and I'll be sure to swing by and say hi to everyone when I can.

I am thinking of getting a laptop or something so I can at least write when I'm on the road. Maybe noodle in photoshop and flash some still, will have to find a good tablet option too. Thanks man, you're one cool guy.

CupcakeCult 2014-01-18 11:07:45

Sad to see you go, you're one of my favourite contributors on this website. But, if you feel you need to move on, then I wish you all the best in the future!

Hyptosis 2014-01-18 11:07:45

Thanks!

VicariousE 2014-01-18 12:28:50

I do hope you'll make games in the distant future, more for your own enjoyment, than a necessary financial evil. It's been more than wonderful having you here. Good luck with your new career, it sounds like it going to be difficult... but potentially amazing as well. My best regards to you and your family.

Hyptosis 2014-01-18 12:28:50

Thanks so much man, I'm sure I'll return eventually, when I have my drive again. I know my life is going to be very consumed with this job until I'm done with it, so I wanted to have a good bye with everyone.

chris-the-stick 2014-01-18 12:58:06

well, i hope you will not leave NG for good, because you're one of my favorite artists in here.

why do you leave?

Hyptosis 2014-01-18 12:58:06

I'm not inspired anymore and I've had a great job offer that will keep me from being at home or settled at all. I'll still stop by, I just likely will no longer be providing anything. Not for a while.

TurkeyOnAStick 2014-01-18 13:27:06

Best of luck with your life Hyptosis, you were always a dude whenever we've spoke.
Keep drawing.

Hyptosis 2014-01-18 13:27:06

Yeah man, you're awesome and one of my best Newgrounds friends. Always kinda wanted to wrestle a crocodile with you, I dunno.

EastWestMan 2014-01-18 14:26:43

Dude, you fucking rock, like, you're one of my favorite NG'ers, and best wishes for you and your future!
Good luck!

Hyptosis 2014-01-18 14:26:43

Thank you SO much man! You too!

naruto312 2014-01-18 14:28:36

We're are going to miss you and your games, I enjoyed your games, and I always giggled like a girl whenever i saw that you uploaded something. I hope you upload some stuff in the future, but we will always be here for you. I hope you have a great life, and be careful! I hope you find a job that you like and gives you all the money you need.

Hyptosis 2014-01-18 14:28:36

Thanks so much. I'll come back one day, when life is a bit more settled and I'm inspired again. Thanks!

rhiabloom12 2014-01-18 14:54:11

I am going to really miss you; I greatly enjoyed your work. Good luck on with your new job though! : )

Hyptosis 2014-01-18 14:54:11

Thank you so much! Stay cool. ^_^

BSEfcukde 2014-01-18 17:23:06

Ever since I played Alice and the Sagittarian series, I liked your style. It really makes me sad to see you leave and I do hope you come back. I'm definitely going to miss your storytelling! Can't be replaced. :(
Good luck on your new ways!

Hyptosis 2014-01-18 17:23:06

Thank you a lot. One day I'll come back, and I'll be inspired again and will have my old drive to create.

PotentApogee 2014-01-18 18:46:47

The best of luck to you, man. It's not pleasant to hear that you're moving away from game development, but I hope your future will be a prosperous one. I'll always rate your abilities as an artist: the style of your works is fantastic.

Do take care of yourself, and again, may the road ahead be a successful one for you.

-Potent

Hyptosis 2014-01-18 18:46:47

Thank you so much, it really means a lot.

Jabalias22 2014-01-18 18:50:57

Call me pussy if you want but a tear dropped down my cheek.

I liked ALL of your games, even though some of them were a bit under your standards.
I can't believe we're loosing the creator of Alice is Dead, one of the most twisted and incredible point and click games ever. which set a new example and quality minimum for other games of it genre.
Or, remembering other great games by you, KingdomOfLiars/Hood, which created an entire universe that could be develop to end up like a huge novel; or The Sagitarian, one of the few zombie games that I find really original and worth playing repeatedly.
We're loosing one of the most emblematic developers on the web. I hope you guys respect that and remember him not only as Daniel Harris, but as Hyptosis.

May you find what you search for and the best of luck to you. I just hope that you will eventually find your own way and you'll get all you wish for.
Thanks for being so great.

And really, never let anyone tell you otherwise: you have done great, and there shall be no regret for all what you've done, so don't let anything stop you and keep your chin up, even when the world turns its back to you.

Farewell, man. And again, good luck.

---jabalias_out---

Hyptosis 2014-01-18 18:50:57

Man, wow. Thank you so much. I'm really very touched. Thanks dude.

Falconv05 2014-01-18 19:12:58

It's hard to believe. I just returned to newgrounds after many weeks away from home and the thing I do is say, "hey I wonder if Hyptosis has anything new!". I will always remember your games, because for me they were more than that. They were amazing worlds to explore and discover, fantastical stories full of imagination and twisted wonderful art.
Alice is Dead will always remain as one of my favorite games.
The sagitarian was an amazing thrill with great narrative that also put to test my zombie apcalipse survival skills, so thank you for that. I now feel ready to survive.
Hood, Kingom of Liars, Brinn... I have to say I enjoyed every game (even that freaking frustraiting Rise that I couldn't finish becasue of the last boss).
I guess besides the engaging stories I reallly enjoyed your art, it is quite distinctive and beautiful. I hope that even if you quit making games, you continue making more of your fantastical art.

I wish you the best in your new job and moving to a new country!

Farewell and Thank you very much.

Hyptosis 2014-01-18 19:12:58

Thank you so much for your kind words. World building is what I love most, it is true. After some time away I'm sure I'll want to create again, and maybe I'll come back! I love it here, and I'm not really 'leaving' other than because I won't actually be here at home, have my computer, etc. Or I'd still hang around and check stuff out. Thanks for the supportive words, it means a lot. ^_^

keepwalking 2014-01-18 19:27:13

sad sad news my friend. I just got the chance to actually talk to you after all these years of following your games, and now its just a farewell. I totally understand though, life is life, you got to move on and follow your own road. We will still be here with arms wide open waiting for your return.
Best of Luck

Hyptosis 2014-01-18 19:27:13

Thanks so much man, you're awesome.

TheEnkian 2014-01-18 19:59:48

I already messages you on Twitter, but this gives me a chance to write something a bit more meaningful. I've been a somewhat silent follower of your games for a while now, I got started with The Sagittarian games and have played many others since. You even offered me some kind words in regards to my own game development recently which meant a lot considering that I look up to your own work.

I don't know the full story behind the new job and can't claim to know you well personally, but nonetheless, I hope everything turns out in your favour and you find the lost inspiration again. The community here will definitely miss you as you're one of the best and most frequent contributors

Good luck with the new job, I certainly envy the chance to travel and I hope you do swing by this place every now and then.

Hyptosis 2014-01-18 19:59:48

Thanks so much, and good luck! Keep on working man! RPGs are the bomb!

MikeGelato 2014-01-18 21:33:47

Sorry to hear that. For what it's worth, you're part of the reason I began making games for Newgrounds. The first time I played Alice is Dead, I felt immersed in a way that I never have before in a flash game. Then it came to me that I didn't need to have a big shot studio to make a game where someone can lose themselves. It was definitely a turning point for me. At the same time, I can't blame you either, I haven't released a game in a couple years, so I know how it feels to feel unmotivated. But that's on me. I just wanted to thank you for that initial spark that got me going, and I hope everything works out for you in the future :)

Hyptosis 2014-01-18 21:33:47

I"m touched that I was able to inspire you in any way. It's not something I ever thought I'd be able to do back when I was younger. Inspire someone else. Keep it up man, create things! Thanks for the kind words.

LuckyDee 2014-01-19 02:32:46

It was cool working with you, even though it only lasted about two days D:

Take care man, and I hope to see you around again. You kick ass.

Hyptosis 2014-01-19 02:32:46

Yes sir! You too!

Goreguese 2014-01-19 11:18:12

man i love your games. goodluck to your new job.

Hyptosis 2014-01-19 11:18:12

Thanks!

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