Make Systems Not Games

 Whenever thinking about what games to create we always think about the end result then start picking it apart. Slowly discovering processes. When accumulating the systems you create and nail might build a funny more engaging experience. Well I believe this train of thought can be applied to other things like setting a goal.

Instead of saying this is my goal and breaking that up into tasks, it might be better to design the systems that work best with the individual. When a person’s goal is to be an acclaimed artist, they should start breaking down the steps to become that artist. They should scratch that. Instead what do you already do? Can you get better at it? Can you share that? What can you do to be more of an impact in that? Now can you design compatible system for that? Are there any skills on the edge that you might like to learn or sharpen?

Forget the goal. Throw it out. Build from with in. 

Let’s take it back to game design. Say you love make single screen experiences. It’s the only type of game you are comfortable making. Are you the best at it? If no then get better. What aspects could be added? Have you tried this, have you tried that? You also enjoy platformers but they are too hard to and time consuming to make. Now that you are very skilled at single screen games can you make a platformer. No? What’s the obstacle? Jumping physics how about making a jump rope game. Now a jump rope game where you dodge milkshakes being thrown at the play. Oh look at that your character can now run and jump, time to build that platformer! Wait level design, alright lets paper pencil this.

Now this is built from the ground up. No need to get over consumed with a pie in the sky approach. I think this could also be applied to goals. You have a goal to get that promotions in a department you know nothing about so you keep talking about it and socializing with the team about it. I think instead it would be better to just look around at what you got. What is here that you enjoy. Do that. Get good at it, then expand from there. I’d argue that is not giving up on a dream that is merely designing a dream from your surroundings. You are McGyvering your path. In some ways this will be your most authentic self then following a pre designed path or shoehorning your foot into the door of an opportunity others have told you so much about. I cannot tell you how often people reach their dreams just to realize it was sold to them, not what they thought, or ended up just being work. 

Either way design the system with things that around. Something curious might be discovered.