Move Fast and Abandon Things (engineersneedart.com)

Article summary

The article discusses the author's experience with creating and abandoning various game projects over the years, highlighting the importance of quick prototyping and iteration in the game development process. The author shares their personal story of creating shareware games and experimenting with different ideas, some of which were abandoned due to lack of potential or feasibility. The author reflects on the value of learning from failed projects and reusing code from abandoned games. The article also touches on the author's career as a programmer at Apple and their approach to coding and project management.

Main themes

• Game development
• Prototyping and iteration
• Abandoning projects
• Learning from failure
• Coding and project management
• Nostalgia and retro gaming

What commenters say

• Abandoning projects can be a waste of time and resources, and it's essential to learn from failures and finish projects to gain valuable experience.
• Quick prototyping and iteration are crucial in game development, allowing developers to test ideas and identify potential flaws early on.
• Some argue that abandoning projects can be beneficial, as it allows developers to move on to new ideas and avoid getting stuck on unfruitful endeavors.
• The ability to finish projects is a separate skill that requires practice and dedication, and setting achievable goals can help developers develop this skill.
• Reusing code from abandoned projects can be a valuable way to learn and improve, even if the original project was not successful.
• The approach to coding and project management can vary greatly between individuals, with some preferring a more iterative and flexible approach, while others prefer a more planned and structured approach.
• The concept of sunk cost fallacy is relevant to project management, where developers may feel obligated to continue working on a project due to invested time and resources, even if it's no longer viable.
• Abandoning projects can be a natural part of the creative process, and it's essential to focus on the learning experience and the development of new skills rather than the end product.