Bud I program, I level design, model texture, the works, am a jack of all trades. I work for myself. I the beginning I thought sacrafices had to be made, but in the end they don't I have been doing this for about 4 years now, and just about the past year I have stepped back a little bit, and am enjoying life, and because of that my work has never been better. This is what I have accomplished so far.

2 indie awards

My video game is featured in a movie

two stipend grants

a grant to go get my Masters.

Best advice don't burn yourself out.

Bud I program, I level design, model texture, the works, am a jack of all trades. I work for myself. I the beginning I thought sacrafices had to be made, but in the end they don't I have been doing this for about 4 years now, and just about the past year I have stepped back a little bit, and am enjoying life, and because of that my work has never been better. This is what I have accomplished so far.

2 indie awards

My video game is featured in a movie

two stipend grants

a grant to go get my Masters.

Best advice don't burn yourself out.

What engine are you using?

It's not exactly a sacrifice but what you do on a constant basis affects your personality. You know like a salesman might get used to encounter everyone with a fat smile and might develop a habit of convincing you about everything a programmer is used to analyzing stuff, finding bugs and arranging things in a logical/efficient manner. A guy I went to programming class with always had a problem with being considered a "programmer". He somehow looked at all those "problem solver"-type guys and couldn't identify with them. After some time he decided to do something else. Probably a wise decision. If one looks at others who already went down a path one is already on and doesn't find himself able to identify with this "group" then this might be a hint to look for something else.